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LCS
User Manual
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................2
Legal Notes .............................................................................................................................................5
Starting up the system.............................................................................................................................7
TM
Starting the Windows NT Operating System....................................................................................7
Using a Mouse .................................................................................................................................7
The Windows NT Interface...............................................................................................................8
The Start Menu.................................................................................................................................9
Starting a Program ...........................................................................................................................9
The Taskbar ...................................................................................................................................10
Setting the Time and Date .............................................................................................................10
Getting Help ...................................................................................................................................11
Shut Down Windows NT ................................................................................................................11
Setting Up Users Under WinNT .........................................................................................................12
The Leica Confocal Software: Overview ...............................................................................................13
Starting the Software......................................................................................................................13
The Experiment Software Concept ................................................................................................14
The Basic Structure of the User Interface......................................................................................14
Opening Data Records...................................................................................................................15
Saving Images................................................................................................................................15
Data Organization by Grouping Experiments ................................................................................16
Compiling Experiments ..................................................................................................................16
Menu Functions .................................................................................................................................16
Keyboard Shortcuts ...........................................................................................................................19
LCS Software Functions........................................................................................................................19
Introduction to the Leica Confocal Software Help..........................................................................19
Opening the Context-Sensitive Help ..............................................................................................20
Documentation Conventions ..........................................................................................................21
Data Recording ..................................................................................................................................22
Setting the Beam Path ...................................................................................................................22
Selecting an Objective ...................................................................................................................24
Setting the Detectors......................................................................................................................25
The Electronic Zoom ......................................................................................................................26
Enlarged Recording of a Frame .....................................................................................................28
Setting the Detection Pinhole.........................................................................................................29
Selecting a Scan Format................................................................................................................30
Selecting a Scan Mode ..................................................................................................................31
Selecting a Scan Speed.................................................................................................................32
Setting the Z/Y-Position .................................................................................................................33
Configuring a Time Series..............................................................................................................33
Starting a Single Scan....................................................................................................................34
Starting a Continuous Scan ...........................................................................................................35
Series Scan Overview Dialog Window...........................................................................................36
Defining the Begin Point for a Spatial Series .................................................................................37
Defining the Begin Point for a Wavelength Series .........................................................................37
Defining the End Point for a Spatial Series ....................................................................................38
Defining the End Point for a Wavelength Series............................................................................39
Defining the Number of Spatial Sections .......................................................................................40
Setting the Number of Wavelength Steps ......................................................................................41
Starting a Series Scan ...................................................................................................................41
Selecting a unidirectional or bi-directional scan.............................................................................43
Adjusting phase..............................................................................................................................44
Turning the Scan Field ...................................................................................................................44
Recording an Image of a Line Using the Averaging Method .........................................................45
Applying the Parameter Setting of an Experiment .........................................................................45
Recording an Image Using Burst Mode .........................................................................................46
Recording an image using the Averaging Method .........................................................................46
Image Recording With a Digital Resolution of 8 Bits or 12 Bits .....................................................47
Setting the UV Lens Wheel ............................................................................................................48
Data Viewing......................................................................................................................................48
The Viewer Window .......................................................................................................................48
Viewer Options ...............................................................................................................................51
Viewer Options Dialog Window, 3D Icon .......................................................................................51
Viewer Options Dialog Window, Display Icon ................................................................................52
Viewer Options Dialog Window, Charts Icon .................................................................................53
Viewer Options Dialog Window, Online Measure Icon ..................................................................55
Viewer Options Dialog Window, Projections Icon ..........................................................................56
Viewer Options Dialog Window, Overlay Icon ...............................................................................57
Viewer Options Dialog Window, Scan Progress Icon ....................................................................58
Viewer Options Dialog Window, Surface View Icon.......................................................................58
Viewer Options Dialog Window, Surface Measure Icon ................................................................60
Viewer Options Dialog Window, Surface Calculation Icon ............................................................61
Image Tool .....................................................................................................................................62
Image Tool Dialog Window ............................................................................................................62
Image Tool Dialog Window, 3D Button (optional) ..........................................................................64
Image Tool Dialog Window, Basic Button ......................................................................................71
Image Tool Dialog Window, Amplitude Button...............................................................................77
Viewing detection channels............................................................................................................83
Viewing Detection Channel 1-8......................................................................................................83
Zooming Image(s) in the Viewer Window ......................................................................................84
Selecting Color Maps (LUT)...........................................................................................................84
Viewing the Single image...............................................................................................................86
Viewing a Multiple image ...............................................................................................................87
Viewing an Overlay Image .............................................................................................................87
Viewing Image Series ........................................................................................................................88
Viewing the First Image of a Series ...............................................................................................88
Display the Next Image in a Series ................................................................................................88
Displaying the Previous Image in a Series ....................................................................................89
Viewing the Last Image of a Series................................................................................................89
Displaying an Image From a Series ...............................................................................................90
Starting and Ending a Film.............................................................................................................90
Viewing the Series image...............................................................................................................91
Projections .........................................................................................................................................92
Principles and Types of Projections ...............................................................................................92
Projecting an Image Stack with an Invariable Projection Axis .......................................................95
Projecting an Image Stack with a Variable Projection Axis (optional) ...........................................96
Maximum Projection of an Image Stack with Invariable Projection Axis .......................................97
Maximum Projection of an Image Stack with Invariable Projection Axis .......................................98
Average Projection of an Image Stack With Variable Projection Axis (optional) .........................100
Average Value Projection of an Image Stack with Invariable Projection Axis .............................101
Transparent Projection of an Image Stack with Invariable Projection Axis..................................102
Transparent Projection of an Image Stack with Variable Projection Axis (optional)....................103
Creating SFP projections of an image stack (optional)................................................................104
Creating a Topographical image ..................................................................................................105
Viewing the Original image ..........................................................................................................106
Creating 3D Views ...........................................................................................................................106
Creating the 3D View ...................................................................................................................106
Rotating the 3D View ...................................................................................................................107
Moving the 3D View .....................................................................................................................108
Zooming the 3D View...................................................................................................................108
Measuring and Analysis Functions......................................................................................................109
Calculating a Histogram ...............................................................................................................109
Measuring a Profile Within a Region of Interest (ROI).................................................................110
Measuring a Profile Along a Line Segment..................................................................................112
Measuring Surfaces and Volumes ...............................................................................................113
Copying Quantification Graphs to the Annotation Sheet .............................................................115
Printing Quantification Graphs .....................................................................................................115
Exporting Quantification Data ......................................................................................................116
Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) as an Ellipse .....................................................................116
Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) as a Polygon.....................................................................117
Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) as a Rectangle..................................................................118
Automatically Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) ....................................................................119
Selecting and Moving the Region of Interest (ROI) .....................................................................120
Moving and Rotating the Region of Interest (ROI).......................................................................121
Deleting Regions of Interest (ROIs) .............................................................................................122
Documenting Data...............................................................................................................................122
Creating an Annotation Sheet ......................................................................................................122
Copying an Image into the Annotation Sheet ..............................................................................123
Drawing a Line on the Annotation Sheet .....................................................................................124
Drawing a Rectangle on the Annotation Sheet ............................................................................124
Adding a Text Field to an Annotation Sheet ................................................................................125
Printing .........................................................................................................................................126
Data Handling......................................................................................................................................127
Opening a File ..............................................................................................................................127
Saving a File.................................................................................................................................127
Saving a File as............................................................................................................................128
Storing All Data ............................................................................................................................128
Creating an Experiment ...............................................................................................................129
User-specific Adaptation......................................................................................................................129
Saving the Viewer Window as a Template ..................................................................................129
Controlling Functions Using the Control Panel ............................................................................130
Optional Software packages ...............................................................................................................131
Materials ..........................................................................................................................................131
Image Tool dialog window, Materials button (optional)................................................................131
Measuring Roughness Along a Line Segment.............................................................................134
Measuring Roughness Within a Region of Interest (ROI)............................................................136
Glossary ..............................................................................................................................................138
Appendix..............................................................................................................................................141
LCS File Formats .............................................................................................................................144
Formats of User-specific and Device-dependent Data ................................................................144
Fixed Leica-specific File Formats.................................................................................................145
Index ....................................................................................................................................................157
Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH
Legal Notes
Legal Notes
Version 2.0, August 01, 2001. Made in Germany.
© Copyright 2000/2001, Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH. All rights
reserved.
DISCLOSURE
This document contains Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH
proprietary data and is provided solely to its customers for their express
benefit of safe, efficient operation and maintenance of the product
described herein. Use or disclosure of Leica Microsystems Heidelberg
GmbH proprietary data for the purpose of manufacture or reproduction of
the item described herein, or any similar item, is prohibited, and delivery
of this document shall not constitute any license or implied authorization
to do so.
WARRANTY
Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH provides this publication "as is"
without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but
not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. All reasonable precautions have been taken in the
preparation of this document, including both technical and non-technical
proofing. Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH assumes no
responsibility for any errors or omissions. Leica Microsystems Heidelberg
GmbH shall not be responsible for any direct, incidental or consequential
damages arising from the use of any material contained in this document.
TRADEMARKS
Throughout this manual, trademarked names may be used. Rather than
including a trademark (™) symbol at every occurrence of a trademarked
name, we state that we are using the names only in an editorial fashion,
and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of
infringement.
SAFETY
This instrument is designed and manufactured to comply with applicable
performance standards for Class 3b laser products as defined by
USHHS, CDRH/FDA, OSHA and EN standards and regulations known to
be effective at the date of manufacture.
Every hazardous situation cannot be anticipated, therefore, the user must
exercise care, common sense, and observe all appropriate safety
precautions applicable to Class 3b lasers and high-voltage electrical
equipment during installation, operation and maintenance.
Deviation from published operating or maintenance procedures is not
recommended. Operation and maintenance procedure changes are
SOFTWARE LICENSE
The software described in this document is furnished under a License
Agreement, which is included with the product. This agreement specifies
the permitted and prohibited uses of the product.
Then click the OK button. Your new password will be in effect the next
time you log on.
Caution
Do not forget your password if you set one! Without the right password
you cannot access your computer anymore.
The Welcome dialog box is now displayed. Take a moment to read the
"Did you know..." tip and then click the Close button to begin using
Windows NT.
Using a Mouse
You need a mouse to work most efficiently in Windows NT. Here are the
mouse actions you need to know:
Point means to move the mouse pointer onto the specified item by
moving the mouse. The tip of the mouse pointer must touch the item.
Click on an item means to move the pointer onto the specified item and
press and release the mouse button once. Unless specified otherwise
(i.e. right-click), use the left mouse button. Clicking usually selects an
item.
Double-click on an item means to move the pointer to the specified
item and press and release the left mouse button twice quickly. Double-
clicking usually activates an item.
Drag means to move the mouse pointer onto the item, hold down the
mouse button, and move the mouse while holding down the button.
Unless specified otherwise (i.e. right-drag), use the left mouse button.
Starting a Program
The Start menu contains the various categories where your applications
and work are stored. You can move further into the various
subcategories by positioning the mouse over the category that you are
interested in to automatically open the next subcategory. You do not
have to click the mouse!
The Programs command displays the Programs menu. This menu lists
all of the applications installed and available to you. Some options are
marked by an arrow. This arrow indicates that a submenu follows. Drag
the mouse cursor over the Accessories command to see its submenu.
The Accessories submenu lists the set of Windows NT built-in programs.
TIP: If you drag an object either from the Desktop or Windows Explorer
and drop it directly onto the Start button, a link to that object will
automatically appear in the Start menu.
There are many ways to start a program. The following method is the
simplest one:
1. Click on the Start button.
2. Click on Programs.
3. Click on the group that contains the program you want to start (for
instance, LCS).
4. Click on the program you want to start (for instance, Leica LCS).
Another way to start a program is to open a document that you created in
that program. The program automatically opens when the document
opens. Double-click on a document file in My Computer or Windows
Explorer to open it. Or click on the Start button and select a recently used
document from the Documents menu.
You can also start a program by double-clicking on its shortcut icon on
the desktop. Shortcut icons are links to other files. When you use a
shortcut, Windows simply follows the link back to the original file.
Whenever you use a document or program frequently, you might
consider creating a shortcut for it on the desktop. To do so, just use the
right mouse button to drag an object out of Windows Explorer or My
Computer. After releasing the mouse button, a menu appears. Select the
option Create Shortcut(s) Here. Some programs automatically create a
shortcut during their installation procedure.
Caution
The Taskbar
The taskbar–positioned at the bottom of the screen–provides a constant
view of which applications are running on the system and an easy way of
switching between them. As you add to the number of concurrently
running applications, the taskbar automatically re-sizes its iconized view
of the applications to ensure that they can always be seen. To switch
from one running program to another, simply click on the second
program as displayed in the taskbar.
The taskbar also provides constant additional information such as the
system time and volume control if a sound card is installed. All of these
functions can be adjusted by the user.
screen. Notice that the option to automatically adjust the clock for
daylight savings time is selected. On some systems you can also drag
the highlighted area on the world map and drop it on the correct location.
Changing the date and time information within Windows NT Workstation
4 will update the battery backup CMOS clock in your system.
Note
Getting Help
Windows NT includes a powerful help system. In addition to Help menus
in every window, there is a standalone Help feature available from the
Start menu. To access it, click your mouse on the Start button, and click
on Help.
There are three tabs in this box: Contents, Index, and Find. The Contents
tab appears on top. To move to a tab, click on it.
Contents
The Contents tab displays individual Help topics. The topics are
organized into categories and are represented by small book icons.
Double-click on any book to open it. Sub-books and documents appear.
Double-click on sub-books and documents to open them.
Index
The Index tab displays an index of all available topics. Type the word you
want to look up. The Index list scrolls to that part of the alphabetical
listing. When you see the topic on the list that you want to read, double-
click on it.
Find
Rather than searching for information by category, the Find tab offers a
full text search. Enter the word(s) or phrase to be searched for under
Help in the text entry box. The text entry box is linked to a list of words in
your Help files, and any words or phrases that match will be displayed.
You can specify more than one word by separating words with a space. If
you wish to change a search option, select Options. The first time you
click on this tab, Windows tells you it needs to create a list. Click Next
and then Finish to allow this. The main Find tab appears next. Type the
word(s) you want to find in the top text box. Then click a word in the
middle box to narrow the search. Finally, review the list of help topics at
the bottom, and double-click the one you want to read.
When you're done reading about a document, click Help Topics to return
to the main Help screen, or click Back to return to the previous Help
topic. Click the window's Close button to exit Help.
Caution
Powering down your computer without prior shutting it down may result in
severe data loss.
Note
Factory installed hard disks feature 2 partitions (C:\ and D:\).The user
directory should be set up on partition D:\.
If you remove the dongle from the workstation of the confocal system, the
software cannot be started, thereby preventing operation of the confocal
system.
The LCS software can be started in two operating modes: hardware
mode and simulation mode. In hardware mode, all hardware components
are accessed and initialized by the software. For this reason, you should
switch on the hardware first and then wait about 20 seconds before
starting the software.
In simulation mode, the software runs independently of the hardware.
This mode is intended for secondary installations on another computer,
for example for training or offline analysis of existing data.
Starting the Software
Select Start|Programs|Leica Confocal Software. The initial screen of
the Leica Confocal Software appears. This window allows you to select
from three profiles.
Company
This option starts the Leica Confocal Software using the default factory
settings. This means that the configuration and the position of the
Toolbars is preset. These settings cannot be changed.
Personal
This option lets you use a user-defined configuration profile. The user
name is dependent upon the account used to log on to the operating
system. If the custom profile does not yet exist at the first initialization,
the default factory settings are applied to the personal profile.
Last Exit
This option loads the configuration profile that was last active.
For advanced users:
If you have more than one configuration profile, you can load them at
startup by clicking the button with the three black dots, which is located at
the right lower edge of the profile options. You may also use this option
to reset your custom configuration profile to the standard factory profile.
Clicking the Start button starts the Leica Confocal Software using the
corresponding configuration profile.
Note
After a delay, the software starts automatically and loads the currently
selected configuration profile.
If you do not find the "Apply" button in one of the open windows, you can
load it into any of the windows by selecting Tools → Customize. In the
dialog window that appears, select the "Commands" tab under the File
category. With the left mouse button, click the "Apply" button and drag it
while holding the mouse button pressed to the desired window. Release
the left mouse button to insert the button at the current location.
Saving Images
As described above under "Readable File Formats", individual images
and experiments can be saved using the same data formats.
Select File → Save to save your images and experiments. The first time
an experiment is saved, the "Save as" dialog opens automatically,
allowing you to specify a file name. In addition to defining a suitable file
name, you can also select a file format here. Experiments can only be
saved in the Leica-specific *.lei format. When you are saving
experiments, you may be able to save existing individual images in *.tif or
*.raw format.
Note
If you are saving an experiment or image that has already been saved
before, the old data will be overwritten.If you do not want to do this,
select File → Save as to save the new or changed data to a new file with
a new name.
Compiling Experiments
After you have defined a new experiment by selecting File → New or
File → New (Template), you can start filling it with data.
Note
Menu Functions
The following TCS SP2 functions can be carried out from the menu bar:
File Menu
New:
This option opens a new experiment in a new window. The display
properties of the new window are determined by the active defaults (see
the chapter on "Default Settings and Templates").
New (Template):
This option opens a new experiment in a new window. The way in which
the viewer window is displayed can be selected from a set of templates.
Open:
This option opens a previously saved experiment or a single data block
(image data or annotation). The display properties of the new window are
determined by the active defaults (see the chapter on "Default Settings
and Templates").
Open (Template):
This option opens a previously saved experiment, a single data block or
annotation files. The way in which the viewer window is displayed can be
selected from a set of templates.
Close:
This option closes the current experiment. It does not save the
experiment automatically before closing it.
Note
You are not asked whether you want to save the experiment before it is
closed.
Close all:
This option closes all open experiments. It does not save the experiment
automatically before closing it.
Note
You are not asked whether you want to save the experiment before it is
closed.
Save:
Saves the current experiment.
Recent files:
Opens one of the recently opened files.
Print:
Opens a dialog for printing the content of the currently active window.
Exit:
Terminates the program.
You can edit and modify macros only if the complete, integrated VBA
development environment (IDE) is installed.
Record a New Macro:
This starts the automatic macro recorder. For more information, refer to
the documentation provided with the optional macro development
environment.
Pause Recording:
This pauses the macro recorder.
Stop Recording:
This stops the macro recorder.
Visual Basic Editor (optional):
This option launches the software for developing macros and programs
based on Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Here you can edit and
modify macros and even develop entire programs.
It is important to apply the correct data for the objectives, as some of the
calculated sizes (such as the scan field dimensions) depend on them.
Microscope:
Use this option to select the Leica microscope you are using. This setting
influences the way in which the microscope is controlled (for example,
the motorized objective nosepiece).
Settings:
Use this option to select the hardware settings that you want to be
applied when opening a previously saved data record.
License:
This option allows you to install subsequently purchased licenses. A
subsequent license usually is installed if a software package offered as
an option is purchased.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Special key combinations have been defined to speed up access to
frequently used software functions.
Keyboard Function
Shortcuts
F1 Opens the online help.
ALT + F8 Opens the Macros dialog window for running, editing and
deleting macros.
ALT + F11 Starts the VBA development environment (optional).
(optional)
CTRL + L Opens the Legend Info dialog window for entering user-
specific settings that can be applied when documenting,
saving and viewing the documentation of image recordings.
CTRL + J Opens the Objective dialog window for defining and selecting
applied microscope objective lenses.
CTRL + N Opens a new experiment.
CTRL + O Starts the Open dialog window for opening an existing file.
CTRL + P Opens the Printer Selection dialog window.
CTRL + S Saves the active experiment.
Three different help levels are available for the Leica TCS SP2:
Quick Help
When you let the mouse pointer hover over a Leica Confocal Software
button, a brief explanation of the function of this button is displayed. This
so-called Help Banner automatically disappears when the mouse pointer
is moved.
Context-sensitive Help
If you want to use the context-sensitive help function, click on the Help
button:
The entire user interface is then frozen and a question mark appears
beside the mouse pointer. Then, instead of triggering the button function,
clicking a button opens an explanation of the button's function. If the Help
button is not present on the user interface:
! Select the Customize option from the Tools menu. Here you will find all
buttons arranged by categories.
! The Help button can be found in the File category.
! Click on it using the left mouse button and drag it to the desired window.
Examples Result
Pinhole AND This phrase finds help topics containing both the word
Sections "pinhole" and the word "sections".
Pinhole OR This phrase finds help topics containing either the word
Sections "pinhole" or the word "sections" or both.
Pinhole This phrase finds help topics containing the word "pinhole" and
NEAR the word "sections" if they are located within a specific search
Sections radius. This method also looks for words that are similar in
spelling to the words specified in the phrase.
Pinhole NOT This phrase finds help topics containing the word "pinhole" and
Sections not containing the word "sections".
Favorites
If you select Favorites in the dialog window of the online help tab, you
can include the current help topic in a list, making them easily available
for future use.
Function
Click Help to open the context-sensitive online help function, which
provides you with short explanations for the various buttons and
functions of the Leica Confocal Software.
Online help also provides you with an index of key words and a search
function so that you can search for specific topics and buttons.
Furthermore, you can print the individual descriptions.
You can also open the online help by selecting Contents, Search or
Index option under the Help menu.
Documentation Conventions
Button
The buttons provided on the user interface of the Leica Confocal
Software. Buttons are marked with icons and/or have an (often
abbreviated) English label. They either trigger actions directly or open
dialog windows.
Menu
The menus are divided into the categories of File, View, Macro, Tools,
Window and Help and are displayed in the menu bar located at the upper
edge of the user interface.
Option
Options refer to the selectable items that are hierarchically listed below
the menus. Options either trigger actions directly or open dialog windows.
Dialog Window
Both buttons and options open dialog windows. Dialog windows are used
to set various parameters and select functions.
Register
Registers are found in dialog windows. Registers thematically combine
the parameters and functions that can be configured in dialog windows.
Some registers are divided into fields.
Viewer window
The Leica Confocal Software contains two types of viewer window. The
Viewer window is called up by pressing the New button and displays the
recorded images. The Experiment Overview viewer window displays the
recorded images in a directory tree. This viewer window is called up from
the View menu and appears as a separate window at the left side of the
user interface.
Legend
The Leica Confocal Software provides two legends, which display the
parameters and settings of an image recording. The Experiment legend
can be placed at the right edge of the Viewer window. The Hardware
legend is called up from the View menu and appears as a separate
window at the left side of the user interface.
Context Menu
Context menus appear when you click the right mouse button while
holding the mouse pointer over certain areas of the user interface.
Context menus contain various, context-sensitive commands.
! see ...
This symbol is a reference to another topic in the online help.
Data Recording
Function
Open the Beam Path Setting dialog window using the Beam button, and
set up the beam path and the detectors with the corresponding color
look-up tables used to record the image.
! Click the check box next to the laser name to activate the laser.
! Set the output for the laser line by moving the slide on the corresponding
scale to the desired value, or
! Double click the percentage value for the laser output. This opens a
second dialog window where you can enter an exact value.
! The active laser line is shown as a line in the spectrum.
You can also save the settings made for a specific image recording as
user-defined parameter configuration so that you can load them any time
with a single click:
Furthermore, you can individually select the parameters that you want
saved when using the Save command:
Command Function
Set as default The standard setting for the parameters is loaded when
setting you start the software.
Remove default This removes the default setting property from the
setting selected configuration.
Load Loads the parameter configuration.
Rename (only for Use this to change the name of the parameter
U) configuration.
Delete (only for U) Deletes the parameter configuration.
Selecting an Objective
Function
Click the Objective button to open a list of objectives and make an
appropriate selection. This list contains only the objectives that were
previously assigned to one of the maximum of seven threaded ports on
the objective nosepiece. You can assign objectives as follows:
! Select the Objectives option from the Tools menu. A dialog window opens
containing an extensive list of objectives and the symbolic representation
of the slots on the objective nosepiece.
! Find in the list the objective that you are using and select it with the mouse.
Click and hold the left mouse button and drag the objective onto the
symbol representing the slot in which the objective is installed.
! The assignment is saved in the software and the objective appears in the
selection list, which you can open by pressing the Objective button.
! Repeat this procedure for every objective that you have installed in the
objective revolver.
You can use the Add, Remove and Edit buttons in this dialog window to
add new objectives, remove objectives or edit existing objective labels.
Note
Additional information
When selecting the correct objective for a specific application, the
objective's correction class (achromatic, apochromatic, fluorite objectives
and plane objectives) and especially the magnification factor and the
numerical aperture are of great significance. The numerical aperture
determines the resolution capacity of an objective and is deduced from
the flare angle of the light cone recorded by the objective and the
refraction index of the medium between objective and specimen: NA =
n*sin a
Typical Applications
Material scientists commonly use dry objectives to study surface
structures. Immersion Objectives are the best choice for producing
images of layered structures in which material layers with varying
refraction indexes come into contact with each other. When working with
biological specimens, the choice between an oil immersion objective and
water immersion objective depends on the specimen itself and its
embedding medium. You will achieve the best resolution when the
refraction indexes of the embedding medium and/or the specimen are
matched to the refraction index of the objective medium.
Function
Use the Signal button to open a dialog window for adjusting the detectors
so that the entire range of intensities of a color look-up table is assigned
and displayed in the image. For this purpose, a Gain value and an Offset
value can be set for each detector. The gain value modifies the
amplification of the detected signal, thus changing the brightness and
contrast of the image. The offset value defines a threshold value. Only
those signals that lie above the threshold value are detected and
displayed in the image.
There are two methods for setting the gain and offset values:
! Use the mouse to move the slide on the scale. The corresponding value is
shown below the corresponding scale.
! Double-click the numerical value that is displayed below the scale. This
opens a second dialog window where you can enter an exact value.
Best suited to optimization of gain value and offset values are the color
look-up tables Glow Over, Glow Under and Glow Over and Under.
You can also set the gain value and offset value of the detectors using
the corresponding radio buttons of the control panel.
Note
Function
In confocal microscopy, the magnification of an image is determined both
by the objective and the electronic zoom. The objective generates a first
image whose magnification is based on the objective's magnification
factor. The electronic zoom provides additional magnification. A zoom
factor of 1 scans the maximum scan field size with a specific number of
dots. If the zoom factor is set to 2, the same number of dots is used to
scan a scan field with half the page length of the maximum scan field (1/4
the original scan field). This achieves stronger magnification and thus
better image resolution too, because a smaller scan field is scanned with
the same frequency, which results in a higher density of data.
In the dialog window that was opened by pressing the Zoom button, you
can select one of the preset zoom factors. If you click on the Others
button, you can set a different zoom factor in two ways:
! Use the mouse to move the slide of the scale. The corresponding value is
shown in the middle of the dialog window.
! Double-click the boldface numerical value located in the middle of the
dialog window. This opens a second dialog window where you can enter
an exact value.
You can also set the zoom factor using the corresponding rotary knob on
the control panel.
Additional information
While zoom factors from 1 to 32 can be set, the useful magnification of
the electronic zoom cannot be increased infinitely. The limit is achieved
using the smallest optically resolvable distance, which is determined by
the resolution capacity of the objective. According to the Nyquist
theorem, this smallest optically resolvable distance can only be mapped
without information loss if it is scanned with about 2 to 3 raster points. If
the scan frequency is exceeded at a relatively high zoom factor and the
specified scan format, further magnification is no longer useful because
no more optical details can be resolved (zero-order magnification).
Note
The Leica Confocal Software provides three different zoom functions: the
electronic zoom, the 3D zoom and the graphic zoom.
Function
The Zoom In function enables an enlarged recording of a freely
selectable square frame of a specimen.
! Click the Zoom In button. At the same time, the Rectangle button is
automatically activated.
! see Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) as a Rectangle
! Specify the frame to be enlarged by drawing a rectangular evaluation area
(region of interest or ROI) into the image using the Rectangle button.
! see Selecting and Moving the Region of Interest (ROI)
! Use the Select button to move the frame on the image.
! To start the image recording, press the Continuous Scan, Series Scan or
Single Scan button.
Note
Additional information
The enlarging recording of a frame will only provide additional detailed
information as long as the distance of the grid points remains larger than
half the optical resolution. On the other hand, the resolution depends on
the objective used, the adjusted scanning format, and the light
wavelength used (Empty magnification).
Typical Applications
All applications that deal with the optical resolution of very small
structures and that can do without an overview image. While recording
such specimens, care should be taken that an objective with a
corresponding high optical resolution is used for image recording.
Function
Clicking the Pinhole button opens a dialog window that you can use to
set the diameter of the detection pinhole. In the upper right list field in the
dialog window, select the units for displaying the diameter. You can
select from mm, Airy units and digital values. There are two ways of
specifying a value for the diameter:
! Use the mouse to move the slide on the scale that is displayed on the left
in the dialog window. The corresponding value is shown in the middle of
the dialog window.
! Double-click the boldface numerical value located in the middle of the
dialog window. This opens a second dialog window where you can enter
an exact value.
The diameter of the detection pinhole must be set to the currently used
objective at all times. If you click the Airy 1 button, the detection pinhole
is set automatically to the optimum value of 1 Airy unit depending on the
objective in use.
In addition to the numerical aperture of the objective and the wavelength
of the light, the detection pinhole also determines the thickness of the
optical sections.
Additional information
The diameter of the pinhole has the optimum if it matches the diameter of
the Airy disc. The Airy disc refers to the inner, light circle of the diffraction
pattern of a point light source. The diameter of the Airy disc, in turn, is
also dependent on several optical parameters and can be described for
the Leica Confocal System as follows:
To calculate the diameter of the Airy disc, you need the excitation
wavelength l (in the case of several wavelengths, a mean value should
be used); the numerical aperture NA and the magnifying factor M of the
objective. The factor of 3.6 refers to the magnification of other optical
components belonging to the Leica Confocal microscope.
If the pinhole is set to the Airy disc, light from outside the focal plane is
suppressed and the signal-to-noise ratio is high. These conditions allow
the recording of optical sections of minimum thickness. The wider the
diameter of the pinhole, the more light reaches the detector. The image
becomes brighter but blurring from structures outside the focal plane will
also appear in the image, making it increasingly unfocused.
Function
Clicking the Format button opens a dialog window containing a selection
list of scan formats. Selecting the scan format selects the image raster
that will be used for recording the images. An image raster is the amount
of points scanning the specimen in the three directions in space. Besides
the numerical aperture of the objective and the excitation wavelength, the
scan format, together with the electronic zoom, determines in large part
the spatial resolution of the recorded data.
Additional information
When selecting the scan format, observe the influences between the
image raster and the resolution of the generated image. According to the
Nyquist theorem (or sampling theorem), a structure can only be scanned
without information loss if the smallest optically resolvable distance is
scanned with about 2 to 3 raster points. This optically resolvable
distance, called lateral resolution, depends on the numerical aperture of
the objective and the wavelength of the applied excitation light:
Based on this rough formula, the distance of the raster points required
avoiding information loss while recording is:
To achieve the required 47 nm raster distance, you can either raise the
scan format (to 2048x2048 for instance) or you can decrease the scan
field size using the Electronic Zoom (Zoom=2).
Note
Function
Clicking the Mode button opens a dialog window containing a list of
available scan modes. The scan mode determines which optical levels of
the specimen are to be scanned. Fundamentally, horizontal xy-sections
or vertical xz-sections can be recorded. To generate a three-dimensional
image of the specimen, the optical sections are continued in the
corresponding third direction in space, thus recording a stack of
individual images. In addition to this, it is possible to add the factor of
time or wavelength while recording the images:
Mode Function
xyz An image stack is recorded from the xy-sections in the z direction.
xzy An image stack is recorded from the xz-sections in the y direction.
xt A line is recorded several times in succession.
xyt A xy-section is recorded several times in succession.
xzt An xz-section is recorded several times in succession.
xyzt An image stack is recorded several times in succession from xy-
sections in z-direction.
xyλ An xy section is recorded at different wavelengths.
xzλ An xz section is recorded at different wavelengths.
All scan modes (with the exception of xt) are composed of at least three
dimensions. The device will ignore the third as well as other dimensions if
you record images only from one optical plane (xy or xz) using the
Continuous Scan function of the Single Scan function.
Note
The xzy and xzt scan modes are only displayed in the list if you
previously selected the selection point Galvo using the Z-Scan button.
Likewise, the scan modes for a xyλ and xzλ wavelength will only be
displayed if only one detector is activated in the Beam Path Setting
dialog window.
! see Setting the Beam Path
Function
Clicking the Speed button opens a dialog window that you can use to
select from four scan speeds.
Speed
200 Image lines per second
400 Image lines per second
800 Image lines per second
1000 Image lines per second
The data recording speed is further increased in combination with the bi-
directional scan.
Additional information
The higher the set scan speed, the shorter the dwell time of the laser
point. Furthermore, the scan format, i.e. the number of sampling points in
a row, needs to be taken into account. The higher the scan format at a
constant speed is, the shorter the dwell time of the laser point over a
sampling point.
The longer the light point of the laser beam dwells over the individual
sampling points of the specimen, the more light is detected by the
detector. So using a lower scan speed results in a better signal-to-noise
ratio. The disadvantage of a lower scan speed is that the relatively long
impact of the light on the specimen can bleach the specimen
photochemically, making it unusable. This is especially important with
fluorescence applications
Note
If the speed levels 800 or 1000 are set, technical limitations prevent the
maximum scan field from being scanned. The system automatically
switches to zoom factor 2 or zoom factor 4.
Function
Use the z/y-Position button to define the horizontal level (z position) or
vertical level (y position) of the specimen in which the images are to be
recorded. To record an image series using the Series Scan function,
define the start and end points of the image series using the z/y-position
button and the Begin and End buttons.
Clicking the z/y-Position button opens a dialog window that provides you
with two ways of specifying a position value:
! Use the mouse to move the slide on the scale that is displayed on the left
in the dialog window. The corresponding position value is shown in the
middle of the dialog window.
! Double-click the boldface position value located in the middle of the dialog
window. This opens a second dialog window where you can enter an exact
value.
The z/y-position can also be set using the corresponding knob on the
console.
Function
Click the Time button to open the Time Configuration dialog window for
setting up a time series recording. The settings that can be changed in
this dialog window depend on the selected scan mode. You can record a
line (xt), a horizontal section (xyt), a vertical section (xzt), or a stack of
horizontal sections (xyzt), interrupted by a particular time interval, many
times in a row.
Note
The Time button is not enabled unless you have selected a scan mode
with time dimension using the Mode button.
Using the Calculate button, you can calculate how many stored pages
are needed for a particular number of lines per page.
When you have finished configuring these settings, press the Series
Scan button.
Function
Use the Single Scan button to record a single image from a single optical
level in the specimen.
Before recording an image using the single scan function, configure all
Typical Applications
The single scan function is designed for recording bleach-sensitive
specimens. Use this function in the case of bleach-sensitive specimens
not only for image recording, but also as an alternative to the continuous
scan function for setting the scan parameters. The single scan function
can also be used to check the image section by zooming in on the scan
field.
Function
Use the Continuous Scan button to permanently record images from a
single optical level in the specimen. This does not generate image series,
since the image being generated always replaces the previously
generated image.
Additional information
The unit applies the last used scan parameters automatically. You can
modify some of the parameters while the image is being recorded.
Others have to be configured before you start the recording:
Typical Applications
The continuous scan function is best used to optimize the image quality
for the first scan of a specimen. While the specimen is being scanned
continuously, you can modify the scan parameters listed above and
check the results directly in the image.
Note
Function
This dialog window lets you define the begin and end points of an image
series and trace the recording of the individual sections. The three-
dimensional scan area is represented graphically as a cube. Within this
cube, a yellow square represents the current z position or y position, a
green one represents the begin point and a red one the end point. The
corresponding position values are displayed to the right of the cube. Set
the begin and end point as follows.
! Use the mouse pointer to drag the yellow square to the level in which the
image series is to begin.
Or click the z/y-Position button to open a dialog window where you can
enter the values of the z position or y position.
! Click in the white box for the begin point. The corresponding position value
appears and is saved.
! Use the mouse pointer to drag the yellow square to the level in which the
image series is to end.
Or click the z/y-position button to open a dialog window where you can
enter the values of the z-position or y-position.
! Click in the white box for the end point. The corresponding position value
appears and is saved.
! The entire height of the image stack between the begin and end points is
calculated and displayed (total).
Now click the Series Scan button. The dialog window stays open and you
can follow the process of the image series being recorded.
Note
The start point and end point can also be defined using the control panel
and the separate keys Begin and End.
Additional information
The following additional parameters, which have to be set before
recording an image series, are specified in the Series Scan Overview
dialog window:
The red number on the vertical edge of the cube represents maximum
travel of the z-actuator that cannot be changed.
Function
Use the Begin button to define the begin point of a spatial image series.
First, set the exact z-position and/or y-position using the z/y-position
button or on the control panel using the corresponding radio button. Then
click Begin. This saves the position value for the start point. The end
point is set in the same manner.
Note
You can also conveniently set the begin point and end point of a spatial
series in the Series Scan Overview dialog window. Open this dialog
window by pressing the Series button (the small button, not the button
that starts the Series Scan function).
Function
For a wavelength series, this function records a stack of individual
images, each of which are detected at a specific wavelength, from a
single, optical level. Use the Lambda Scan Begin button to define the
wavelength at which recording should begin:
Note
The Lambda Scan Begin button is only active if you used the Mode
button to select a scanning mode with the wavelength dimension.
Typical Applications
A wavelength series can be applied to determine the maximum emission
of a fluorochrome. This is useful because the Stokes shift of the emission
curve of a fluorochrome is dependent on each specimen that is applied.
This then allows you to set the detection range precisely for a specific
application.
Function
Use the End button to define the end point of a spatial image series.
First, set the exact z position or y position with the z/y Position button or
with the corresponding rotary knob on the control panel. Then click End.
This saves the position value for the end point. The begin point is set in
the same manner.
Note
You can also define the begin and end points for a spatial series in the
Series Scan Overview dialog window. Open this dialog window by
pressing the Series button (the small button, not the button that starts the
Series Scan function).
Function
For a wavelength series, this function records a stack of individual
images, each of which are detected at a specific wavelength, from a
single, optical level. Use the Lambda Scan End button to define the
wavelength at which recording should end:
Note
The Lambda Scan End button is only active if you used the Mode button
to select a scanning mode with the wavelength dimension.
Typical Applications
A wavelength series can be applied to determine the maximum emission
of a fluorochrome. This is useful because the Stokes shift of the emission
curve of a fluorochrome is dependent on each specimen that is applied.
This then allows you to set the detection range precisely for a specific
application.
Function
Clicking the Sections button opens a dialog window that you can use to
select the number of horizontal xy-sections and vertical xz-sections for
recording an image series. If you want to specify a number of sections
that is not listed, click the Others option. This opens the Z/Y
Configuration dialog window, which contains the following data:
Parameter Description
Image Dim. z/y The height of the entire image stack between the begin and
(mm) end points of the image series
# Sections The number of configured sections
Step Size (mm) The step size, i.e. the distance between two sections
In this dialog window, you can enter any value for the number of sections
and the section width. The height of the image stack cannot be changed,
as this parameter is determined by the start and end point of the image
series. As the section width always has to be a multiple of the minimum
section width of the z-setting drive, certain combinations of values are
only possible if either the height of the image stack or the number of
sections is adapted. Depending on which of the two Calculate buttons
you click, one of the two parameters is not changed.
If you want to calculate the number of sections with the priority of leaving
the height of the image stack unchanged where possible:
If you want to calculate the number of sections with the priority of leaving
the number of sections unchanged where possible:
If you want to calculate the step width with the priority of leaving the
height of the image stack unchanged where possible:
If you want to calculate the step width with the priority of leaving the
number of sections unchanged where possible:
If you click the Reset button, the last shown values are displayed.
Function
For a wavelength series, this function records a stack of individual
images, each of which are detected at a specific wavelength, from a
single, optical level. The images are recorded within a wavelength range,
which is limited by the begin and end points. Use the Lambda Steps
button to define the number of recordings that are to take place within
this range.
Note
The Lambda Steps button is only active if you used the Mode button to
select a scanning mode with the wavelength dimension.
Typical Applications
A wavelength series can be applied to determine the maximum emission
of a fluorochrome. This is useful because the Stokes shift of the emission
curve of a fluorochrome is dependent on each specimen that is applied.
This then allows you to set the detection range precisely for a specific
application.
Function
Use the Series Scan button to create an image series. This creates a
multidimensional image data block of the specimen. The available
dimensions for recording an image series are the three directions in
space (x, y, z) as well as the dimensions of time (t) and wavelength (λ).
This allows you to record a three-dimensional, spatial image stack
consisting of xy or xz-sections with the additional factor of time or
wavelength.
Note
When you have finished configuring these settings, press the Series
Scan button.
You can track the recording process of the image stack in the Series
Scan Overview dialog window.
! Select a scan mode with time dimension using the Mode button.
! see Selecting a Scan Mode
! Select the scan format using the Size button.
! see Selecting a Scan Format
! Set the desired z-position or y-position using the z/y-position button or the
corresponding knob on the console.
! see Setting the z/y Position
! see Controlling Functions Using the Console
! Set the number of recordings, the pause interval between the recordings,
and the complete editing time.
! see Configuring a Time Series
! Select a scan mode with wavelength dimension using the Mode button.
! see Selecting a Scan Mode
! Select the scan format using the Size button.
! see Selecting a Scan Format
! Define the wavelength at which you want the wavelength series to begin.
! see Defining the Begin Point for a Wavelength Series
! Define the wavelength at which you want the wavelength series to end.
When you have finished configuring these settings, press the Series
Scan button.
Function
If you click the Unidirectional/ Bi-directional Scan button, bi-directional
scan mode is enabled. If this button is not clicked, unidirectional scan
mode is automatically set.
If bi-directional scan mode is active, you can double the scan speed
using the Speed button:
Unidirectional Bi-directional
200 Currently not available Image lines per second
400 800 Image lines per second
800 1600 Image lines per second
1000 2000 Image lines per second
In order to accurately align the pixels of the forward sweep and flyback,
the phase between the forward sweep and the flyback can be adjusted.
Use the Phase button or the appropriate knob on the control panel.
Note
If the speed levels 800 or 1000 are set, technical limitations prevent the
maximum scan field from being scanned. The system automatically
switches to zoom factor 2 or zoom factor 4.
Adjusting phase
Function
During bi-directional image recording, there may be a phase
displacement between the scanning beams moving forward and
backwards. Click on the Phase button to open a dialog window that
allows you to correct the displacement:
! Use the mouse pointer to move the slider on the scale until the pixel
displacement disappears from the image.
It is also possible to adjust the phase with the respective knob on the
control panel.
Additional information
Before delivery of the instrument, the factory performs a phase
adjustment for each zoom value and enters the corresponding values.
Due to the temperature dependency of the mechanics and electronics,
there may be a slight deviation from these default values during
operation. Use this function to readjust these values.
Function
Use the Scan Field Rotation button to rotate the scan field. This neither
rotates the specimen nor the direction of the scanner, but rather the
intermediate microscopic image.
The angle of rotation is infinitely variable between -10 and +100 degrees.
The original position (0 degrees) is based on a predefined reference
position in the scanning head. When the unit is switched on, it
automatically relocates to this reference position.
Typical Applications
This function is used to align textures on surfaces or long stretched-out
biological structures relative to the viewer.
Function
The Line Average function launches an averaging method for the image
recording. In this case, each single line is scanned several times. For
every sampling point, the arithmetical average is calculated from the
repeatedly measured intensity values in one line and represented in the
result image. The next line of the specimen will not be scanned until after
the set number of averaging steps has completed. The method used
here determines a consecutive average. This means that every line
recorded after the first line is averaged with the previously displayed line
and is displayed in the result image (dynamic average).
Clicking the Line Average button opens a dialog window that you can use
to set how often a line is to be scanned. You can select from 1 to 8 scan
repeats.
Typical Applications
This function is used predominantly for recording live specimens.
Note
Function
Click the Apply button to use the hardware settings of a previous
experiment for recording a new experiment. This lets you configure the
settings for new image recordings with a single click with the scan
parameters that have been optimally configured for a previous
application.
! Activate the image data block that is configured with the settings you want
to apply to the new experiment.
! Click the Apply button.
Function
If the workstation must process large amounts of data during the
recording of images, it may lead to a delay of the scanning process. This
is because the recorded image is first displayed on the monitor before
the scanner can scan additional images. The Burst function allows for
decoupling the scan process of the laser and the refreshing of image
data on the screen. For this purpose, the transmission of image data
from the program memory to the monitor is delayed, but the scanning
process is not. By clicking on the Burst button, you can select operating
modes with different delay times:
Mode Description
No Burst Image data are recorded and simultaneously and continuously
displayed on the monitor.
Frame Burst Image data are not displayed on the monitor until a single
image has been recorded.
Complete Image data are not displayed on the monitor until an image
Burst series has been recorded.
Automatic The software automatically sets the optimum-operating mode
for a specific application.
Note
Function
The Average function launches an averaging method for the image
recording. In this case, every individual image, i.e. every xy-section or xz-
section, is scanned several times. For every sampling point, the
arithmetical average is calculated from the repeatedly measured intensity
values and represented in the result image. The method used here
determines a consecutive average. This means every image recorded
after the first image is calculated with the results of the previously
displayed image and is displayed in the result image (dynamic average).
Clicking the Average button opens a dialog window that you can use to
set how often a section is to be scanned. You can select from 1 to 64
scan repeats.
Typical Applications
Recording an image using the averaging method is primarily useful for
suppressing noise. In fluorescence microscopy, weak fluorescent
specimens result in little light reaching the detector. The resulting low
photon count leads to noisy images. In such cases, you can improve the
signal-to-noise ratio by carrying out multiple recordings and determining
averages of the image.
Note
Function
This function reads in the analog intensity values measured by the
detector by means of an A/D converter, either as 8 bit signal or 12 bit
signal.
Additional information
While digitizing the analog intensity signal with a digital resolution of 8 bit,
256 different intensity values can be displayed. Taking the natural
statistical variations of the typical intensity value range of fluorescence
specimen into account, a digitization with 8 bit is completely sufficient in
most cases for an image recording without loss of information. For
specimens with a higher intensity dynamics (e.g., for specimen with very
intensity-weak and intensity-strong areas), an image recording with 12 bit
digitization is recommended. In a 12-bit digitization, 4096 different
intensity values can be resolved.
Typical Applications
For image recording with very high intensity dynamics (mostly material
specimens with high reflectivity of the surface and occurrences of very
dark areas at the same time).
Function
For each objective, this function reduces the focus offset between visible
and UV excitation light to a value below the optical resolving capacity. In
order to achieve this, a suitable correction lens is brought into the beam
path for each objective suitable for use with UV excitation light. To use
this corrective feature, proceed as follows:
In this case, the corrective lens for the selected objective is automatically
moved into the beam path.
Note
Other Requirements
In order to achieve an automatic correction of the physically based color
length fault between visible and UV light, it is not sufficient to manually
rotate the objective into the beam path.
Data Viewing
Command Function
Send to Experiment Selection This copies the raw data of a
(raw) selected area in the image window
as a new image in the current
experiment. The new image can be
processed.
Selection This creates a new image in the
(snapshot) current experiment from the
snapshot of a selected area in the
image window. The new image can
no longer be processed.
All This creates a new image in the
(snapshot) current experiment from the
snapshot of the entire, current
image window. The new image can
no longer be processed.
Printer Selection This prints the area selected in the
image window.
All This prints the entire, current image
window.
Left This shows or hides the button pad to the left of the image
buttons window.
Bottom This shows or hides the button pad located below the image
buttons window.
LUT This shows or hides the color look-up tables of the current
image.
Legend This shows or hides the Experiment legend.
Full screen This enlarges the Viewer window to full screen.
Viewer This opens the Viewer Options dialog window.
Options
The color look-up tables (5) are displayed as color bars to the right of
the image window. If you hold the mouse pointer over a color bar, grab
points appear at the top and bottom of the color bar. You can use these
grab points to limit the current color look-up table to a specific intensity
range and to load a second color look-up table. This allows you to
increase the contrast of the image graphically.
! Drag the top grab point down or the bottom grab point up.
! Double-click the area above or below the corresponding grab point.
! The Select LUT's dialog window opens so that you can select a second
color look-up table.
! The upper and lower intensity ranges are represented in the colors of the
second color look-up table.
Command Function
Experiment Edit This opens the Edit Legend dialog window, where
you can specify a (Title) for the legend, specify the
(Number of legend entries) or (Clear all entries).
Activate This displays the Experiment legend in the Viewer
window.
Remove This deletes the current Experiment legend.
Add This creates a new Experiment legend in the Viewer window.
Experiment
tab
! The Available Entries list box shows all available entries. Select the entries
that you want displayed in the legend. Then click Add to carry the selected
entries over into the Show entries list box.
! The Show entries list box contains the entries that are to be displayed in
the legend. Use the Remove button to remove entries from being displayed
in the legend.
! Use the Move up and Move down buttons to shift one or more than one
entry up or down in the list.
! You can use the Edit grid color and Edit background color buttons to
modify the color of the frame and background of the legend.
The Hardware legend is aligned automatically along the right edge of the
user interface. You can change however the size and position of the
legend as desired:
! To change the width of the legend, use the mouse pointer to drag the edge
to the position you desire.
! To change the position of the legend, double-click on the double-lined
edge of the legend or click the 5 icon once. This releases the legend from
the user interface, turning it into a window. Now you can drag the legend to
any position by pressing and holding the left mouse button.
Note
If the legend has been enlarged to cover the entire width of the user
interface, you first have to shrink the height of it in order to drag it back to
the edge of the user interface.
Viewer Options
Function
To open the Viewer Options window, select the Experiment Overview
option in the View menu.
The Experiment Overview window appears on the left side of the user
interface. The top part of the viewer window displays the recorded
images in a directory tree. The bottom part displays the Viewer Options
window. This dialog window is used to perform basic settings for different
software functions. The left side shows the icons corresponding to the
functions and the right side shows the related tabs. When you open the
dialog, it contains the icons of the functions that you are currently using.
Click Show all to view all icons.
The tabs of the 3D icon can be used to perform optional settings for the
following functions:
The Navigation tab displays the numerical values of the actions that are
carried out using the Rotate, Move and Zoom buttons (and the mouse
pointer).
Use the Rotation field to tilt a 3D view in all three spatial directions by
modifying the angular degrees of the three axes. The 3D view is rotated
around a fixed point, which is located in the center of the image. To best
understand the rotation function, modify the angle of one axis at a time,
while leaving the other two axes set to 0.
Rotation Function
X from 0° to The 3D view is rotated 45° around the fixed point in the
45° direction of the negative z-axis.
Y from 0° to The 3D view is rotated 45° around the fixed point in the
45° direction of the negative y-axis.
Z from 0° to The 3D view is rotated 45° around the fixed point in the
45° direction of the negative y-axis.
Translation Function
X Positive values shift the 3D view to the right, negative to the left.
Y Positive values enlarge the 3D view, negative shrink it.
Z Positive values shift the 3D view up, negative down.
Use the Predefined field to change the viewing perspective of the image
to Top view or Side view by clicking these buttons respectively.
In the Display tab click on one of the listed commands to show or hide
the corresponding graphic element of the 3D view in the Viewer window:
Function
To open the Viewer Options window, select the Experiment Overview
option in the View menu.
The Experiment Overview window appears on the left side of the user
interface. The top part of the viewer window displays the recorded
images in a directory tree. The bottom part displays the Viewer Options
window. This dialog window is used to perform basic settings for different
software functions. The left side shows the icons corresponding to the
functions and the right side shows the related tabs. When you open the
dialog, it contains the icons of the functions that you are currently using.
Click Show all to view all icons.
The tabs of the Display icon can be used to perform optional settings for
the following functions:
On the Settings tab, use the graphic zoom to enlarge or reduce the
image displayed in the Viewer window:
Note
The Leica Confocal Software provides three different zoom functions: the
graphic zoom, the 3D zoom and the electronic zoom.
Click on one of the selection points on the same tab to hide or display the
respective graphic element in the Viewer window:
The length of the measurement bar and the grid width are calculated
dependent on the objective, the electronic zoom and the beam
divergence.
You can use the Movie tab to set the speed for running the film
sequence of an image series. You can choose speeds from 6 images per
minute to 25 images per second.
! Use the mouse to drag the slide on the scale to the desired value.
! Select the Ping-Pong mode if the film sequence is to run from the first to
the last image and then in reverse order back to the first image. If this
mode is not selected, the film sequence always starts with the first image
again.
Function
To open the Viewer Options window, select the Experiment Overview
option in the View menu.
The Experiment Overview window appears on the left side of the user
interface. The top part of the viewer window displays the recorded
images in a directory tree. The bottom part displays the Viewer Options
window. This dialog window is used to perform basic settings for different
software functions. The left side shows the icons corresponding to the
functions and the right side shows the related tabs. When you open the
dialog, it contains the icons of the functions that you are currently using.
Click Show all to view all icons.
The tab of the Charts icon can be used to perform optional settings for
the following functions:
The options in Charts tab can only be selected if one of these buttons
was used earlier to activate a quantification function.
! To change the position, move the mouse over the slider, click and hold the
left mouse button and drag it to the desired position.
! To change the length of the slider, grasp it at one end with the mouse and
enlarge or reduce it while pressing the left mouse button.
Function
To open the Viewer Options window, select the Experiment Overview
option in the View menu.
The Experiment Overview window appears on the left side of the user
interface. The top part of the viewer window displays the recorded
images in a directory tree. The bottom part displays the Viewer Options
window. This dialog window is used to perform basic settings for different
software functions. The left side shows the icons corresponding to the
functions and the right side shows the related tabs. When you open the
dialog, it contains the icons of the functions that you are currently using.
Click Show all to view all icons.
In the tab of the Online Measure icon, you can make optional settings for
the following functions:
The slider on this function can be used to set the number of optical
sections for which the measured values of an online measurement are
displayed graphically. The developing trend in an experiment can be
seen from the online measurement graph.
Note
The trend data only exists in temporary form and it cannot be saved. The
temporarily saved data can however be exported via the context-
sensitive menu (right mouse button) or copied into an annotation sheet.
Typical Applications
Quantitative evaluation of data records
Function
To open the Viewer Options window, select the Experiment Overview
option in the View menu.
The Experiment Overview window appears on the left side of the user
interface. The top part of the viewer window displays the recorded
images in a directory tree. The bottom part displays the Viewer Options
window. This dialog window is used to perform basic settings for different
software functions. The left side shows the icons corresponding to the
functions and the right side shows the related tabs. When you open the
dialog, it contains the icons of the functions that you are currently using.
Click Show all to view all icons.
In the tabs of the Projections icon, you can make optional settings for the
following functions:
Type Function
Maximum From each of the examined columns of sampling points, the
projection sampling point with the highest intensity is displayed in the
two-dimensional projection image as the representative of all
values within the column.
Average From each of the examined columns of sampling points, the
projection arithmetical average of the intensities measured in the
column is displayed in the projection image.
Transparent From each of the examined columns of sampling points, a
projection weighted average of the intensities measured in the column
is displayed in the projection image.
The SFP tab contains various options for generating an SFP projection
image.
Field Function
Light Here, enter a coordinate for x and y for the projection angle of
Direction the SFP projection. This angle symbolizes the angle of
incidence of the laser beam onto the specimen. Click on the
Apply button to create the projection with the new angle.
Absorption You use the slider to vary the absorption coefficient a. The
higher this is set, the smaller the values calculated in the
projection image. If the coefficient is set as low, many of the
pixels in the projection image reach the maximum value, making
it increasingly difficult to distinguish between the structures.
Threshold Use the slider to define a threshold value. The intensity values
below this value are not taken into account for the creation of
the projection image.
Rescale to The intensity values of the image are scaled to the maximum
maximum possible intensity values. This ensures that the calculated gray
values of the projection image remain within the value range of,
for example, 0 to 255 at 8 bits. This allows for brightening dark
images.
The tab of the Overlay icon can be used to perform optional settings for
the following functions:
On the Overlay tab you can select among three types of creating an
overlay image from raw data and the corresponding color look-up tables:
Coloring Function
Only Red/ The color look-up tables Red, Green and Blue are always used
Green/ Blue to create the overlay image, independent of the current color
look-up tables of the original images.
Function
To open the Viewer Options window, select the Experiment Overview
option in the View menu.
The Experiment Overview window appears on the left side of the user
interface. The top part of the viewer window displays the recorded
images in a directory tree. The bottom part displays the Viewer Options
window. This dialog window is used to perform basic settings for different
software functions. The left side shows the icons corresponding to the
functions and the right side shows the related tabs. When you open the
dialog, it contains the icons of the functions that you are currently using.
Click Show all to view all icons.
In the tab of the Scan Progress icon, you can make optional settings for
the following functions:
The currently set scan mode is shown in the Scan Progress tab. The
status of an image recording can also be checked on the basis of the
progress display.
Function
To open the Viewer Options window, select the Experiment Overview
option in the View menu.
The Experiment Overview window appears on the left side of the user
interface. The top part of the viewer window displays the recorded
images in a directory tree. The bottom part displays the Viewer Options
window. This dialog window is used to perform basic settings for different
software functions. The left side shows the icons corresponding to the
functions and the right side shows the related tabs. When you open the
dialog, it contains the icons of the functions that you are currently using.
Click Show all to view all icons.
In the tab of the Surface View icon, you can make optional settings for
the following functions:
Render Function
Mode
Surface The blank spaces between the pixels are filled in with surface.
Wireframe All pixels are linked with lines, while the blank spaces remain
free.
Isolines Pixels that correspond to values of the same intensity are
enclosed in a curve.
The Stretch height (factor) field offers the ability to vary the scaling
factor in the z-direction, thus stretching or shrinking the height of the 3D
view.
Use the Downsample rate field to reduce the density of data of the 3D
view to increase the speed of image processing. At a pixel density of 1:1,
all measured intensity values are displayed in the image. At a pixel
density of 1:2, only every second measured intensity value is used in the
surface image.
Use the Isoline interval field to define a distance for separating the
individual isolines in mm. This allows you to limit the number of isolines in
the 3D view.
Use the Isoline detail level field to enter a limiting value, specifying that
only isolines of a particular length are to be displayed in the 3D view.
This limits the displayed isolines to those, which correspond to an
intensity value that has a specific frequency of occurrence.
Function
To open the Viewer Options window, select the Experiment Overview
option in the View menu.
The Experiment Overview window appears on the left side of the user
interface. The top part of the viewer window displays the recorded
images in a directory tree. The bottom part displays the Viewer Options
window. This dialog window is used to perform basic settings for different
software functions. The left side shows the icons corresponding to the
functions and the right side shows the related tabs. When you open the
dialog, it contains the icons of the functions that you are currently using.
Click Show all to view all icons.
In the tab of the Surface Measure icon, you can make optional settings
for the following functions:
In the Leveling field, there are options for an adaptation function to bring
measurement curves of a roughness profile that show a trend into a
horizontal position. For this purpose, a linear interpolation function
(polynom) is fitted to the measurement curve.
! Click on the Remember button to save the values. The Clear button
deletes them again.
Function
To open the Viewer Options window, select the Experiment Overview
option in the View menu.
The Experiment Overview window appears on the left side of the user
interface. The top part of the viewer window displays the recorded
images in a directory tree. The bottom part displays the Viewer Options
window. This dialog window is used to perform basic settings for different
software functions. The left side shows the icons corresponding to the
functions and the right side shows the related tabs. When you open the
dialog, it contains the icons of the functions that you are currently using.
Click Show all to view all icons.
In the tab of the Surface Calculation icon, you can make optional settings
for the following functions:
Surface Function
Reconstruction
Search maximum From each of the examined columns of sampling points,
intensity the sampling point with the highest intensity is displayed
in the two-dimensional topographical image as the
representative of all values within the column.
Calculate center of From each of the examined columns of sampling points,
mass of intensities the center of mass of the surface, which is restricted by
the curve of the measured intensity values, is displayed
in the two-dimensional topographical image.
Topography Function
Processing
Invert height The column of sampling points is examined in reversed
direction. This reverses the height information. A negative
of the topographical image is displayed.
Level The horizontal position of a recording is corrected using a
linear interpolation function (polynom).
! see Image Tool Dialog Window, Basic Button
Threshold Function
Drag the slider on the Intensities that are below the specified threshold
scale or enter a numerical value are ignored in the calculation of the
value. topographical image.
Image Tool
! In the Source Image drop-down list at the top of the dialog window, select
the image data record to be processed.
! If you click on the Use Selected Image check box, the image data record
currently displayed in the Viewer window is used for the calculation.
! If you click on the Show button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
preview window in the dialog window.
! If you click on the Apply button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
Viewer window and created as a new file in the current experiment.
! Click on the button with the arrow symbols to show the preview window on
the right edge of the dialog window or to hide it. The projections triggered
using Show are displayed temporarily in this preview window.
! The Close button closes the dialog window.
! In the Source Image drop-down list at the top of the dialog window, select
the image data record to be processed.
! If you click on the Use Selected Image check box, the image data record
currently displayed in the Viewer window is used for the calculation.
! If you click on the Show button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
preview window in the dialog window.
! If you click on the Apply button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
Viewer window and created as a new file in the current experiment.
! Click on the button with the arrow symbols to show the preview window on
the right edge of the dialog window or to hide it. The projections triggered
using Show are displayed temporarily in this preview window.
! The Close button closes the dialog window.
! In the Projections tab, select one of the three projection types: maximum
projection, average projection, and transparent projection.
! see Principles and Types of Projections
! Click on Rescale in the Options field to standardize the intensity values of
the image to the maximum possible intensity values when creating the
projection image. This ensures that the calculated gray values of the
projection image remain within the value range of, for example, 0 to 255 at
8 bits. This allows for brightening dark images.
! If you click on Invert in the Options field, the projection axis is mirrored.
The calculation of the projection image is thus in the opposing direction.
This function makes sense above all in the case of inverse microscopes to
match the calculation of the projection image to the inverse beam path of
laser light.
! The Transparent Factor field is only active if the transparent projection was
selected. You use the slider to vary the transparent factor a. The higher it
is set, the stronger the intensity values flow from the lower levels in the
image stack into the projection image. In general, this includes more
information in the projection image.
! see Principles and Types of Projections
! Move the slider in the Threshold field to define a threshold value. The
intensity values below this value are not taken into account for the creation
of the projection image.
! To set the projection axis, click on the Rotation tab (see below for
description).
! Click on the Show button to obtain a preview of the projection images.
Show starts the calculation and displays the resulting images in the Image
Tool dialog window.
Or
Click on the Apply button to create the projection as a new data record.
Apply starts the calculation, displays the resulting images in the Viewer
window and saves them as a new file in the current experiment.
Note
The three projection types can also be enabled directly using the
corresponding keys (3D Proj / 3D Max / 3D Avg / 3D Trans). If you
activate the function using the button, the projection image will just be a
temporary display on the monitor. You can undo this using the Original
key.
! In the Rotation tab, set the desired projection axis by entering a value for
Z, Y and X. With these three values, you rotate the image stack into a
certain position and thus define the angle at which the image stack is
projected. The projection axis here is the viewing angle of the person
viewing the rotated image stack.
You can verify the result in the small preview window in the tab. The
scheme below illustrates the rotation direction of each image level in the
case of positive values for Z, Y and X. In the case of negative values, the
rotation direction is exactly the other way around:
! To make settings for the rotation animation, click on the Animation check
box. The corresponding fields are enabled.
! In the Rotation field, select the animation type: Full turn or 360°, half turn or
180°, quarter turn or 90°, or any other angle.
! In the Frames field, enter the number of projection images to be created for
the animation. The number of projection images and the animation type
specify the intervals at which the projection images are created. With a half
turn (angle of 180°) and a number of images of, for example, 10, an image
is created in steps of 20° (not 18°), as there are only 9 steps for 10
recorded images.
Note
There is another calculation in the case of the full turn (angle of 360°).
To prevent the first and last projection image from being recorded
under the same angle (360° = 0°), the function calculates one
recorded image more, but without creating the corresponding
projection image. In the case of 10 images, for example, the interval
between the projection images is 36° (not 40°), as 11 recorded
images (i.e. 10 steps) are used in the calculation. However, only 10
projection images are created.
! In the Rotation Axis field, vary the inclination of the rotation axis. Check the
changes in the preview window.
! In the Depth Factor field, enter a value to scale the z-axis of the projection
images.
! Click on the Apply button to start the calculation of the projection, to display
the result image in the Viewer window and to create it as a new file in the
current experiment.
! To start the rotation animation, click on the Movie button.
! see Starting and Ending a Film
The following settings must be made to create the two stereo images:
! In the Stereo View Options field click on the On check box to activate the
function.
! In the Eye Angle field determine the angle under which the two stereo
images are recorded. For example, if you enter the value 30, a stereo
image is recorded at an angle of 15° each left and right from the projection
axis that was set on the Rotation tab.
! Stereo images can only be created from one detection channel. If you have
an image series that was recorded in several detection channels, select
the desired image data set in the Detection Channel field.
! Click on the Show button to obtain a preview of the stereo images. Show
starts the calculation and displays the resulting images in the Image Tool
dialog window.
Or
Click on the Apply button to create the stereo images as a new data set.
Apply starts the calculation, displays the resulting images in the Viewer
window and saves them as a new file in the current experiment.
! To display both stereo images in one image in the Viewer window, the
buttons Channel 1, Channel 2, Single and Overlay must be pressed.
! see Viewing Detection Channel 1
! see Viewing Detection Channel 2
Additional information
The stereoscopic effect of the anaglyphic image is possible since human
beings use both eyes for viewing. Since the eyes are approximately 6.5
cm (2.56 inch) apart, the brain receives two images from different
perspectives. Objects located at different distances are observed at
different angles. This angular difference is a measure of distance for the
human brain. The difference between the similar images generated by
the two eyes is processed by the brain into one image with spatial depth
impression. Holding a slightly different image in front of each eye can
also simulate these image differences.
! In the Type field, select one of the three projection types: maximum
projection, average projection, and transparent projection.
! see Principles and Types of Projections
! The Direction field determines which single images are used for the
projection.
Select [z] for stereoscopic series, [t] for time series or [l] for wavelength
series to create the projection from all images of a detection channel, such
as from image 1 to image 10 in detection channel 1.
Select [ch] to create the projection from a certain image in all detection
channels, for example from image 1 in detection channel 1 and image 1 in
detection channel 2.
! Click on Rescale in the Options field to standardize the intensity values of
the image to the maximum possible intensity values when creating the
projection image. This ensures that the calculated gray values of the
projection image remain within the value range of, for example, 0 to 255 at
8 bits. This allows for brightening dark images.
! If you click on Invert in the Options field, the projection axis is mirrored.
The calculation of the projection image is thus in the opposing direction.
This function makes sense above all in the case of inverse microscopes to
match the calculation of the projection image to the inverse beam path of
laser light.
! The Transparent Factor field is only active if the transparent projection was
selected. The slider is used to vary the transparent factor a. The higher it is
set, the more the intensity values from the lower levels in the image stack
affect the projection image.
! see Principles and Types of Projections
! Move the slider in the Threshold field to define a threshold value. The
intensity values below this value are not taken into account for the creation
Note
The three projection types can also be enabled directly using the
corresponding keys (Fix O. Proj / Fix Max / Fix Avg / Fix Trans). If you
activate the function using the button, the projection image will just be a
temporary display on the monitor. You can undo this using the Original
key.
! In the SFP tab in the Light Direction field, you define the projection angle
for the first computing step of the SFP projection. This angle symbolizes
the angle of incidence of the laser beam onto the specimen. Enter one
coordinate each for x and y.
! Click on Rescale in the Options field to standardize the intensity values of
the image to the maximum possible intensity values when creating the
projection image. This ensures that the calculated gray values of the
projection image remain within the value range of, for example, 0 to 255 at
8 bits. This allows for brightening dark images.
! If you click on Invert in the Options field, the projection axis is mirrored.
The calculation of the projection image is thus in the opposing direction.
This function makes sense above all in the case of inverse microscopes to
match the calculation of the projection image to the inverse beam path of
laser light.
! If you click on Filter before Rendering in the Options field, the image stack
is filtered in a lowpass filter in all three spatial directions before the SFP
projection image is calculated. In this way, strong noise can be removed
from the recorded images.
! If you click on Calc. Shadow in the Options field, a shadow is calculated
and displayed for the SFP projection image.
! Move the slider in the Absorption field to vary the absorption coefficient a.
The higher this is set, the smaller the values calculated in the projection
image. If the coefficient is set as low, many of the pixels in the projection
image reach the maximum value, making it increasingly difficult to
distinguish between the structures.
! Move the slider in the Threshold field to define a threshold value. The
intensity values below this value are not taken into account for the creation
of the projection image.
! Click on the Show button to obtain a preview of the projection images.
Show starts the calculation and displays the resulting images in the Image
Tool dialog window.
Or
Click on the Apply button to create the projection as a new data record.
Apply starts the calculation, displays the resulting images in the Viewer
window and saves them as a new file in the current experiment.
In the Rotation and Stereo View tabs, you can create a rotation animation
or a stereo view of the SFP projection image.
Filters are used to enhance the quality of an image. As a rule, this means
removing undesirable pixels from the image. The filter function available
here a low-pass filter; is used to suppress static noise in an image that
could be generated by the detector. The principle of a filter consists of
offsetting the value of each pixel in an image with the values of its
neighboring pixel. The filter kernel describes the number and weighting of
the adjacent pixels that come to bear in the calculation of the new pixel.
The kernel used here can be described using Pascal's triangle:
If, for example, kernel size 5 is selected, 5 pixels of the original image are
used in calculating 1 pixel in the filtered image. It is always the middle
pixel in the filter kernel that is the pixel to be calculated. In this case, the
gray values of the 5 pixels corresponding to the weighting scale 1-4-6-4-
1, are multiplied by the factors 1/16, 4/16, 6/16, 4/16, 1/16 and together
added to the final value. With respect to the calculation of the pixel C in
the following schematic representation this means that the gray values of
pixels A, B and D, E are included in the calculation of the filtered pixel C'.
C' is calculated as follows: 16x1/16 + 4x4/16 + 8x6/16 + 32x4/16 +
8x1/16 = 1 + 1 + 3 + 8 + 0,5 = 13,5
A B C D E
Gray Values of Pixels A-E in an Original 16 4 8 32 8
Image
Factors of kernel size 5 1/16 4/16 6/16 4/16 1/16
A calculation of this kind is performed for each pixel in the original image.
At the edge of the image, the filter mask protrudes beyond the image. For
these pixels, the value 0 is set.
! The value specified in the Kernel Size field as Cut-off Wavelength, is the
size of the filter measured in pixels. This value is calculated on the basis of
the scan parameters (enlargement of the objective, wavelength of the
excitation light, scan format, electronic zoom factor...) used for each image.
The value specified in the Filter Directions field as Cut-off Wavelength, is
the size of the filter measured in nanometers. For example, with a value of
160 nm all wavelengths lesser than or equal to 160 nm are filtered.
! Click on the Show button to obtain a preview of the filtered images. Show
starts the calculation and displays the resulting images in the Image Tool
dialog window.
Or
Click on the Apply button to create the filtered images as a new data
record. Apply starts the calculation, displays the resulting images in the
Viewer window and saves them as a new file in the current experiment.
! In the Source Image drop-down list at the top of the dialog window, select
the image data record to be processed.
! If you click on the Use Selected Image check box, the image data record
currently displayed in the Viewer window is used for the calculation.
! If you click on the Show button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
preview window in the dialog window.
! If you click on the Apply button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
Viewer window and created as a new file in the current experiment.
! Click on the button with the arrow symbols to show the preview window on
the right edge of the dialog window or to hide it. The projections triggered
using Show are displayed temporarily in this preview window.
! The Close button closes the dialog window.
Procedure
This procedure aims at bringing an intensity curve that features a trend
curve into a horizontal position. For this purpose, a suitable interpolation
function (polynomial) is first adapted to the intensity curve. Next, the
distance of the optimal interpolation function to a horizontal intensity
plateau is calculated. The occurring intensity differences are added pixel
by pixel to the original data set. This compensates the trend curve.
! Select an image from the Source Image drop-down list. The drop-down list
contains all the recorded and calculated images of the experiments
displayed in the Experiment Overview viewer window.
! In the Fitting Interpolation Function field select the character of the
adaptation function:
! Select the step size in the Sample Step Width field. The step size sets the
number of support positions for the polynomial. The smaller the step size,
the more time-consuming and precise the calculation of the adaptation
function.
! If the data set should show noise, it is recommended to hide the low
intensity noise signals in the Threshold field by setting a threshold. All
intensity values whose values are below the threshold are not used in the
calculation. This prevents noise signals from being erroneously used as
support positions for the adaptation function.
! Click on the Show button to obtain a preview of the arithmetical operations.
Show starts the calculation and displays the resulting images in the Image
Tool dialog window.
Or
Click on the Apply button to create the calculation operation as a new data
set. Apply starts the calculation, displays the resulting images in the Viewer
window and saves them as a new file in the current experiment.
Note
! In the Type field, select one of the three projection types: maximum
projection, average projection, and transparent projection.
! see Principles and Types of Projections
! The Direction field determines which single images are used for the
projection.
Select [z] for stereoscopic series, [t] for time series or [l] for wavelength
series to create the projection from all images of a detection channel, such
Note
The three projection types can also be enabled directly using the
corresponding keys (Fix O. Proj / Fix Max / Fix Avg / Fix Trans). If you
activate the function using the button, the projection image will just be a
temporary display on the monitor. You can undo this using the Original
key.
On the Stereo View Tab you can create red-green stereo images, so-
called anaglyphic images. Anaglyphic images create a stereoscopic
sense of depth if they are viewed with corresponding 3D glasses (red-
green stereo glasses).
The following settings must be made to create the two stereo images:
! In the Stereo View Options field click on the On check box to activate the
function.
! In the Eye Angle field determine the angle under which the two stereo
images are recorded. For example, if you enter the value 30, a stereo
image is recorded at an angle of 15° each left and right from the projection
axis that was set on the Rotation tab.
! Stereo images can only be created from one detection channel. If you have
an image series that was recorded in several detection channels, select
the desired image data set in the Detection Channel field.
! Click on the Show button to obtain a preview of the stereo images. Show
starts the calculation and displays the resulting images in the Image Tool
dialog window.
Or
Click on the Apply button to create the stereo images as a new data set.
Apply starts the calculation, displays the resulting images in the Viewer
window and saves them as a new file in the current experiment.
! To display both stereo images in one image in the Viewer window, the
buttons Channel 1, Channel 2, Single and Overlay must be pressed.
! see Viewing Detection Channel 1
! see Viewing Detection Channel 2
! see Viewing a Single Image
! see Viewing an Overlay Image
Additional information
The stereoscopic effect of the anaglyphic image is possible since human
beings use both eyes for viewing. Since the eyes are approximately 6.5
cm (2.56 inch) apart, the brain receives two images from different
perspectives. Objects located at different distances are observed at
different angles. This angular difference is a measure of distance for the
human brain. The difference between the similar images generated by
the two eyes is processed by the brain into one image with spatial depth
impression. Holding a slightly different image in front of each eye can
also simulate these image differences.
! Select an image from the Source Image drop-down list. The drop-down list
contains all the recorded and calculated images of the experiments
displayed in the Experiment Overview viewer window.
! The dimensions x, y and z and the detection channel can freely be
combined in the Dimension Selection field:
entries.
Dimension The number of pixels in y that is dependent upon the scan
Selection y format is indicated here. Enter the number of pixels to be
separated in the Start y and End y entry fields. Use the R
(Reset) button to undo the entries.
Dimension The number of pixels in x that is dependent upon the scan
Selection x format is indicated here. Enter the number of pixels to be
separated in the Start x and End x entry fields. Use the R
(Reset) button to undo the entries.
Step z / y / x Here you can enter an interval within a dimension. For
example, if you enter 2 in the Step z entry field, only every 2nd
image is separated.
! In the Source Image drop-down list at the top of the dialog window, select
the image data record to be processed.
! If you click on the Use Selected Image check box, the image data record
currently displayed in the Viewer window is used for the calculation.
! If you click on the Show button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
preview window in the dialog window.
! If you click on the Apply button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
Viewer window and created as a new file in the current experiment.
! Click on the button with the arrow symbols to show the preview window on
the right edge of the dialog window or to hide it. The projections triggered
using Show are displayed temporarily in this preview window.
Procedure
! Select two images from the Source Image 1 and Source Image 2 drop-
down lists. The two drop-down lists contain all the recorded and calculated
images of the experiments displayed in the Experiment Overview viewer
window.
! Select the desired arithmetical operation in the Operation field.
Note
Operation Result
Addition Adds the intensity values of the two selected images according
to the formula:
Pixel Intensity Result = Pixel Intensity Source Image 1 + Pixel Intensity
Source Image 2
Subtraction Subtracts the intensity values of the two selected images
according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity Result = Pixel Intensity Source Image 1 - Pixel Intensity
Source Image 2
Multiplication Multiplies the intensity values of the two selected images
according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity Result = Pixel Intensity Source Image 1 x Pixel Intensity
Source Image 2
Division Divides the intensity values of the two selected images
according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity Result = Pixel Intensity Source Image 1 / Pixel Intensity
Source Image 2
Min Selects for each pixel the minimum value of the two selected
images according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity Result = MIN (Pixel Intensity Source Image 1; Pixel
Intensity Source Image 2)
Max Selects for each pixel the maximum value of the two selected
images according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity Result = MAX (Pixel Intensity Source Image 1; Pixel
Intensity Source Image 2)
Average Calculates for each pixel the average of the two selected
images according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity Result = 1/2 x (Pixel Intensity Source Image 1 + Pixel
Intensity Source Image 2)
AND The binary representations of the pixels of the two selected
images are linked with the logical operator AND. That means
that pixels in the result image are given the value 1 when the
value 1 is present in both of the pixels; otherwise 0 is entered.
! see Boolean Operations
You achieve meaningful results using this Boolean operator
when you link an image with a binary mask. The pixel is
displayed in the result image at the point where the pixels of the
image meet the pixels of the mask with the value 1. The areas
defined by the mask are cut out of the image.
OR The binary representations of the pixels of the two selected
images are linked with the logical operator OR. That means that
pixels in the result image are given the value 1 when the value
1 is present in at least one of the two pixels; otherwise 0 is
entered.
! see Boolean Operations
You achieve meaningful results using this Boolean operator:
1. When you link two binary masks. The result image is a
combination of the two masks. 2. When you link an image with
a binary mask. The result image is an image in which the mask
appears. 3. When you link two images. In contrast to the
overlay image, pure intensity values are overlaid here. An RGB
color addition does NOT take place here.
! see Viewing an Overlay Image
XOR The binary representations of the pixels of the two selected
images are linked with the logical operator XOR. That means
that pixels in the result image are given the value 1 when the
two pixels have different values; otherwise 0 is entered.
! see Boolean Operations
You achieve meaningful results using this Boolean operator
when you create two binary masks of images and link them.
The pixel is displayed in the result image at the point where the
two images differ.
! In the Arithmetic Type field, select whether raw data or scale data is to be
used for the arithmetical operations.
! If you have selected Raw Data, the values standardized to the interval
[0..255] for 8 bits or [0..4095] for 12 bits are used for the arithmetical
operations. As the calculation result can produce values extending beyond
the interval, the following three methods are available to readapt them to
the interval:
! If you have selected Scaled Data, the world coordinates, that is, the actual
and non-standardized values, are used for the arithmetical operations. The
standardization of the results data into the intensity interval [0..255] and/or
[0..4095] is only used for the image display functions for color look-up; in
contrast, the actual result values are used for the quantification functions.
! If you select 12 Bit Output in the Output Option field, each pixel in the
result image is coded with 12 bits, i.e. the result values are saved in a
value range from [0..4095]. In the case of scaled data, the intermediate
values are interpolated.
! Click on the Show button to obtain a preview of the arithmetical operations.
Show starts the calculation and displays the resulting images in the Image
Tool dialog window.
Or
Click on the Apply button to create the calculation operation as a new data
set. Apply starts the calculation, displays the resulting images in the Viewer
window and saves them as a new file in the current experiment.
Procedure
! Select an image from the Source Image drop-down list. The drop-down list
contains all the recorded and calculated images of the experiments
displayed in the Experiment Overview viewer window.
! Set the desired value of the constants in the Constant Value field.
! Select the desired arithmetical image operation in the Operation field.
The following arithmetical functions can be run with one image and
a constant:
Operation Result
Addition Adds the constants pixel by pixel to the intensity values of the
selected image according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity = Pixel Intensity
Result + Constants
Source Image
Subtraction Subtracts the constants pixel by pixel from the intensity values
of the selected image according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity = Pixel Intensity
Result - Constants
Source Image
Min Selects for each pixel the minimum value of the selected image
and constants according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity = MIN (Pixel Intensity
Result ; Constants)
Source Image
Max Selects for each pixel the maximum value of the selected image
and constants according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity = MAX (Pixel Intensity
Result ; Constants)
Source Image
Average Calculates for each pixel the average of the selected image and
constants according to the formula:
Pixel Intensity = 1/2 x (Pixel Intensity
Result + Constants)
Source Image
! In the Arithmetic Type field, select whether raw data or scale data is to be
used for the arithmetical operations.
! If you have selected Raw Data, the values standardized to the interval
[0..255] for 8 bits or [0..4095] for 12 bits are used for the arithmetical
operations. As the calculation result can produce values extending beyond
the interval, the following three methods are available to readapt them to
the interval:
! If you have selected Scaled Data, the world coordinates, that is, the actual
and non-standardized values, are used for the arithmetical operations. The
standardization of the results data into the intensity interval [0..255] and/or
[0..4095] is only used for the image display functions for color look-up; in
contrast, the actual result values are used for the quantification functions.
! If you select 12 Bit Output in the Output Option field, each pixel in the
result image is coded with 12 bits, i.e. the result values are saved in a
value range from [0..4095]. In the case of scaled data, the intermediate
values are interpolated.
! Click on the Show button to obtain a preview of the arithmetical operations.
Show starts the calculation and displays the resulting images in the Image
Tool dialog window.
Or
Click on the Apply button to create the calculation operation as a new data
set. Apply starts the calculation, displays the resulting images in the Viewer
window and saves them as a new file in the current experiment.
Procedure
! Select an image from the Source Image drop-down list. The drop-down list
contains all the recorded and calculated images of the experiments
displayed in the Experiment Overview viewer window.
! In the New Resolution field, select the image resolution into which you
want to convert the selected image.
Procedure
! Select an image from the Source Image drop-down list. The drop-down list
contains all the recorded and calculated images of the experiments
displayed in the Experiment Overview viewer window.
! For multichannel images, select the All Channels check box to make all
changes for all channels at one time and to the same extent.
! For images that do not use the entire dynamic range, select the Linear
Model check box. If the check box has been clicked, there is a linear
relationship between the intensity in the output image and the result
image. Whether an image uses the entire dynamic range available can be
seen by creating a histogram of the image. If the histogram does not cover
the entire intensity range (see Min and Max), the dynamic range is NOT
being used in full.
! see Calculating a Histogram
If you have images in which you wish to highlight the medium intensities
more strongly, select the non-linear model (Linear Model check box NOT
enabled).
! In the Options field, use the sliders to change the brightness and/or image
contrast.
Options Result
Slider This slider adjusts the brightness of the result image. If the slider
Brightness is exactly in the center, the output image and result image have
exactly the same level of brightness. If the slider is moved from
the center to the right, the result image becomes brighter than the
output image. If the slider is moved from the center to the left, the
result image becomes darker than the output image.
Slider This slider adjusts the contrast of the result image. If the slider is
Contrast exactly in the center, the output image and result image have
exactly the same level of contrast. If the slider is moved from the
center to the right, the result image has greater contrast than the
output image. If the slider is moved from the center to the left, the
result image has less contrast than the output image.
Procedure
! Select an image from the Source Image drop-down list. The drop-down list
contains all the recorded and calculated images of the experiments
displayed in the Experiment Overview viewer window.
! For multichannel images, select the All Channels check box to make all
changes for all channels at one time and to the same extent.
! Change the form of the contrast transfer function by adjusting the slider.
! Click on the Show button to obtain a preview of the calculation. Show
starts the calculation and displays the resulting images in the Image Tool
dialog window.
Or
Click on the Apply button to create the calculation as a new data record.
Apply starts the calculation, displays the resulting images in the Viewer
window and saves them as a new file in the current experiment.
Function
Clicking the Channel 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8 button displays the image data that
has been recorded in detection channel 1-8 in the Viewer window. You
can assign any of several other color look-up tables to the detection
channel. This setting can be changed both in the result image and while
the image is being recorded. To do so, open the Select Look-up Tables
dialog window. There are two ways of opening the dialog window.
Note
Function
Clicking the Display button opens a drop-down list that you can use to set
the graphical zoom. This enlarges or reduces the image displayed in the
Viewer window:
Note
The Leica Confocal Software provides three different zoom functions: the
graphic zoom, the 3D zoom and the electronic zoom.
Function
Use the Look-up Tables button to open a dialog window, which you can
use to assign color look-up tables to the detection channels. The color
look-up tables can be configured both in the result image and while the
image is being recorded:
! Click the detection channel to which you want to assign a new color look-
up table in the Select Channel field.
! Select the desired color look-up table in the Select LUT field.
! Click Apply to check the results in the Viewer window.
It is also possible to open the Select LUT's dialog window from the
Viewer window.
! Hold the mouse pointer over any position in the Viewer window. Then push
the right mouse button. Click on the LUT item in the context menu that
appears.
! The color bars for the active detection channels appear in the Viewer
window to the right of the image window. Double-click one of the color
bars.
! Drag the top grab point down or the bottom grab point up.
! Double-click the area above or below the corresponding grab point.
! The Select LUT's dialog window opens so that you can select a second
color look-up table.
! The upper and lower intensity ranges are represented in the colors of the
second color look-up table.
Note
Typical Applications
Generally the selection of a suitable color look-up table for a specific use
depends on the user's own judgment and needs. Experience shows
however that certain color look-up tables are particularly useful for
specific uses.
Cyan, These are recommended for printing images. The CMY(K) colors
Magenta, are generally used for the printer system color output. RGB
Yellow colors such as the other color look-up tables used here are
applied generally for color representation on monitors. Because
these two color systems vary greatly, the colors in the CMY(K)
representation can differ strongly from those used in the monitor
representation.
All color look-up tables are also available with inverse color flow,
meaning high intensities are represented as dark and low intensities light.
Function
Click the Single button to view only one detection channel or several
detection channels in only one image in the Viewer window. The
following display modes are available depending on the other options
you enable simultaneously.
Note
Function
If you click the Tiled button, the detection channels are displayed
separately in the Viewer window. The following display modes are
available depending on the other options you enable simultaneously.
Note
Function
Clicking the Overlay button displays all selected detection channels
together in an overlay image in the Viewer window. The following display
modes are available depending on the other options you enable
simultaneously.
Use the Viewer Options dialog window to select from three different
methods of color mixing for generating an overlay image:
Function
You can view the individual images of an image series as a film
sequence. Click First to jump to the first image in the series.
Note
If the Gallery button is enabled, the First and Last, Next and Previous
and Play/Stop buttons are disabled and displayed in gray. The Gallery
button is used to show all of the individual images of an image series and
does not allow film sequence mode.
Function
You can view the individual images of an image series as a film
sequence. Click Next to jump to the next image in the series.
Note
If the Gallery button is enabled, the Next and Previous, First and Last
and Play/Stop buttons are disabled and displayed in gray. The Gallery
button is used to show all of the individual images of an image series and
does not allow film sequence mode.
Function
You can view the individual images of an image series as a film
sequence. Click Previous to jump to the previous image in the series.
Note
If the Gallery button is enabled, the Next and Previous, First and Last
and Play/Stop buttons are disabled and displayed in gray. The Gallery
button is used to show all of the individual images of an image series and
does not allow film sequence mode.
Function
You can view the individual images of an image series as a film
sequence. Click on the Last button to jump to the last image in the series.
Note
If the Gallery button is enabled, the First and Last, Next and Previous
and Play/Stop buttons are disabled and displayed in gray. The Gallery
button is used to show all of the individual images of an image series and
does not allow film sequence mode.
Function
When you click on the Selection button, a dialog window opens which
lets you select any image of a series and display it in the Viewer window.
The number of individual images for the series is displayed from 1 to n,
as well as in an entry field the number of the currently displayed image.
! Use the mouse to move the slide of the scale. The corresponding image is
displayed immediately.
! Enter the number of the desired image into the entry field, and click on
Apply.
Function
You can view the individual, recorded images of an image series as a
film sequence. Use the Play/Stop button to start and stop the film. The
film speed, that is the number of single images per time unit, is variable
and can be set in the Viewer Options dialog window:
Note
If the Gallery button is enabled, the Play/Stop, First and Last, Next and
Previous buttons are disabled and displayed in gray. The Gallery button
is used to show all of the individual images of an image series and does
not allow film sequence mode.
Function
If you click the Gallery button, all of the individual images in an image
series are displayed in the Viewer window. The following display modes
are available depending on the other options you enable simultaneously.
Projections
within the column. This is repeated for each column of sampling points (3a, 3b).
Average Projection
Transparent
Projection
SFP Projection __________
Activate the projection type either with the corresponding button or in the
Image Tool dialog window. If you activate the function using the button,
the projection image will just be a temporary display on the monitor.
When activated through the dialog window, the projection image will be
stored as a new file in the current experiment:
! The projections with invariable projection axes are located in the Image
Tool dialog window / 3D button / Orthogonal Projection icon.
! The projections with variable projection axes are located in the Image Tool
dialog window / 3D button / Projections and Animations icon.
! The SFP projection is located in the Image Tool dialog window / 3D button
/ SFP icon.
Maximum Projection
During maximum projection, we assume that the maximum intensity
values are the relevant information for the reconstruction of a structure.
For this reason, the maximum value is found in each column of sampling
points and is displayed in the two dimensional projection image as
representative of the entire column:
Ip = Max(Vn)
Whereby Ip is the pixel in the projection image and Vn is the investigated
Voxel
Average Projection
During average projection, every intensity value with equal weighting
flows into the projection image. For this reason, during average
projection the arithmetic average of all intensity values is calculated in
each column of sampling points. This value is displayed in the two
dimensional projection image as representative of the entire column:
Transparent Projection
During transparent projection, all intensity values should be included in
the projection image as well. In contrast to average projection, the
intensity values from the various individual images are weighted
differently. The intensity values from the lower images in the image stack
are weighted less than the intensity values from the upper images. For
this reason, during transparent projection the weighted mean of all
intensity values is calculated in each column of sampling points. This
value is displayed in the two dimensional projection image as
representative of the entire column:
Calculation of the projection image begins with the lowest and ends with
the highest individual image in the image stack. Weighting of the intensity
values is based on two factors.
The first factor, Tn, is calculated from the relationship of the respective
intensity value to the maximum possible intensity (standardization). This
factor ensures that an image's gray value range from 0 to 255 at 8 bit, for
example, will not be exceeded.
The second (user adjustable) transparent factor a (0 < a < 1) determines
the weighting of the previously measured intensity value. The higher the
transparent factor is adjusted, the more the intensity values from the
lower levels in the image stack will be included in the projection image.
The first step simulates the laser beam (1), which penetrates the sample
Function
Using the button Fix. O. Proj., start the projection type that was used last
or which was selected in the Viewer Options dialog window/ Projections
icon/ Projections tab. For this function, the projection axis is always the
orthogonal axis (z-axis for horizontal xy-sections, and y-axis for vertical
xz-sections).
The basis for a projection is an image stack, i.e. a series of horizontal xy-
sections or vertical xz-sections. When a projection is generated, the
sampling points of the individual images—superimposed along the
projection axis—are examined throughout all optical sections.
From each of these columns comprised of sampling points, depending on
the projection type, the maximum intensity value or the arithmetical
average or, the weighted average of all intensity values, is calculated and
displayed in a two-dimensional projection image representing the entire
column.
The Viewer Options dialog window allows you to indicate a threshold and
to scale the intensity value range for the image.
Note
You can activate a projection using either the Fix O. Proj. Button or the
Image Tool dialog window. If you activate the function using the button,
the projection image will just be a temporary display on the monitor.
When activated through the dialog window, the projection image will be
stored as a new file in the current experiment.
Function
The 3D Proj. Button starts the project type last used or selected in the
Image Tools dialog window/ Projections and Animations icon/ Projections
tab. The projection axis is freely variable.
The basis for a projection is an image stack, i.e. a series of horizontal xy-
sections or vertical xz-sections. When a projection is generated, the
sampling points of the individual images superimposed along the
projection axis;are examined throughout all optical sections. From each
of these columns comprised of sampling points, depending on the
projection type, the maximum intensity value or the arithmetical average
or, the weighted average of all intensity values, is calculated and
displayed in a two-dimensional projection image representing the entire
column.
displayed image stack. Turn the image stack to the desired new position by
moving the mouse pointer while holding down the left mouse button.
! Upon releasing the left mouse button, the new projection will be calculated
and displayed. The projection axis is the viewing direction of the user to the
newly positioned image stack.
! Use the Zoom 3D View button to enlarge or reduce the projection.
! see Zooming the 3D View
! You can return to the original image anytime by clicking on the Original
button.
The Viewer Options dialog window allows you to indicate a threshold and
to scale the intensity value range for the image.
Note
You can activate a projection by either using the 3D Proj. Button or the
Image Tool dialog window. If you activate the function using the button,
the projection image will just be a temporary display on the monitor.
When activated through the dialog window, the projection image will be
stored as a new file in the current experiment.
Function
Using the button Fix. Max. Button starts a maximum projection. For this
function, the projection axis is always the orthogonal axis (z-axis for
horizontal xy-sections, and y-axis for vertical xz-sections).
The basis for a projection is an image stack, i.e. a series of horizontal xy-
sections or vertical xz-sections. When a projection is generated, the
sampling points of the individual images superimposed along the
projection axis are examined throughout all optical sections. From each
of these columns of sampling points, the maximum intensity value is
displayed in the two-dimensional projection image as the representative
of all intensity values within the column.
! Click the Fix. Max. Button. A maximum projection of the current image
stack is created and displayed in the Viewer window.
! You can return to the original image anytime by clicking on the Original
button.
In the Viewer Options dialog window, you can also adjust a threshold and
scale the intensity value range present in the image.
Note
Note
Function
The 3D Max. Button starts a maximum projection. The projection axis is
freely variable.
The basis for a projection is an image stack, i.e. a series of horizontal xy-
sections or vertical xz-sections. When a projection is generated, the
sampling points of the individual images superimposed along the
projection axis are examined throughout all optical sections. From each
of these columns of sampling points, the maximum intensity value is
displayed in the two-dimensional projection image as the representative
of all intensity values within the column.
In the Viewer Options dialog window, you can also adjust a threshold and
scale the intensity value range present in the image.
Note
Note
Function
Use the button 3D Avg. to start an average projection. The projection
axis is freely variable.
The basis for a projection is an image stack, i.e. a series of horizontal xy-
sections or vertical xz-sections. When a projection is generated, the
sampling points of the individual images superimposed along the
projection axis are examined throughout all optical sections. From each
of these columns of sampling points, the arithmetic average is calculated
from all intensity values and displayed in the two-dimensional projection
image as the representative of the complete column.
In the Viewer Options dialog window, you can also adjust a threshold and
scale the intensity value range present in the image.
Note
You can activate an average projection with the 3D Avg. button or in the
Image Tool dialog window, 3D button/ Projections and Animations icon. If
you activate the function using the button, the projection image will just
be a temporary display on the monitor. When activated through the
dialog window, the projection image will be stored as a new file in the
current experiment.
Function
Using the button Fix. Avg. button starts an average projection. For this
function, the projection axis is always the orthogonal axis (z-axis for
horizontal xy-sections, and y-axis for vertical xz-sections).
The basis for a projection is an image stack, i.e. a series of horizontal xy-
sections or vertical xz-sections. When a projection is generated, the
sampling points of the individual images superimposed along the
projection axis are examined throughout all optical sections. From each
of these columns of sampling points, the arithmetic average is calculated
from all intensity values and displayed in the two-dimensional projection
image as the representative of the complete column.
! Click the Fix. Avg. button. An average projection of the current image stack
is created and displayed in the Viewer window.
! You can return to the original image anytime by clicking on the Original
button.
In the Viewer Options dialog window, you can also adjust a threshold and
scale the intensity value range present in the image.
Note
Function
Using the button Fix. Trans., start the transparent projection. For this
function, the projection axis is always the orthogonal axis (z-axis for
horizontal xy-sections, and y-axis for vertical xz-sections).
The basis for a projection is an image stack, i.e. a series of horizontal xy-
sections or vertical xz-sections. When a projection is generated, the
sampling points of the individual images superimposed along the
projection axis are examined throughout all optical sections. From each
of these sampling point columns, a weighted average is calculated from
all intensity values, which is then displayed in the two-dimensional
projection image as a representative of the entire column.
The user can vary the weighting of the sampling points to calculate the
averages by setting the corresponding factors (transparent factor) in the
Viewer Options dialog window. Furthermore, you can indicate a threshold
and scale the intensity value range for the image.
! Click the Fix. Trans. button. A transparent projection of the current image
stack is created and displayed in the Viewer window.
! You can return to the original image anytime by clicking on the Original
button.
Note
You can activate a transparent projection using the Fix. Trans. button.
Alternately, it can be activated using the Image Tool dialog window/ 3D
button/ Orthogonal Projection icon. If you activate the function using the
button, the projection image will just be a temporary display on the
monitor. When activated through the dialog window, the projection image
will be stored as a new file in the current experiment.
Function
You can activate a transparent projection using the 3D Trans. The
projection axis is freely variable.
The basis for a projection is an image stack, i.e. a series of horizontal xy-
sections or vertical xz-sections. When a projection is generated, the
sampling points of the individual images superimposed along the
projection axis are examined throughout all optical sections. From each
of these sampling point columns, a weighted average is calculated from
all intensity values, which is then displayed in the two-dimensional
projection image as a representative of the entire column.
The user can vary the weighting of the sampling points to calculate the
averages by setting the corresponding factors (transparent factor) in the
Viewer Options dialog window. Furthermore, you can indicate a threshold
and scale the intensity value range for the image.
Note
Function
The SFP button starts an SFP projection, the mathematical simulation of
a fluorescence process.
The basis for a projection is an image stack, i.e. a series of horizontal xy-
sections or vertical xz-sections. When a projection is generated, the
sampling points of the individual images superimposed along the
projection axis are examined throughout all optical sections. In the first
step, the laser beam is simulated penetrating the sample and
diminishing. In the second step, using the determined light density, the
simulated fluorescence for each Voxel is calculated.
! Click the SFP button. A SFP projection of the current image stack is
created and displayed in the Viewer window.
! You can now change the projection axis by clicking in the image in the
Viewer window and holding the left mouse button pressed.
! Broken support lines are displayed that encloses the symbolically
displayed image stack. Turn the image stack to the desired new position by
moving the mouse pointer while holding down the left mouse button.
! Upon releasing the left mouse button, the new SFP projection will be
calculated and displayed. The projection axis is the viewing direction of the
user to the newly positioned image stack.
! You can return to the original image anytime by clicking on the Original
button.
Note
This SFP projection can be activated using the SFP button and the
Image Tool dialog window/ 3D button/ SFP icon. If you activate the
function using the button, the projection image will just be a temporary
display on the monitor. When activated through the dialog window, the
projection image will be stored as a new file in the current experiment.
Function
Use the Topography function to select specific intensity data from an
image stack, i.e. a series of xy or xz-sections, and transfer them into a
two-dimensional topographical image. This function examines the
sampling points (voxels) that are superimposed along the z-axis
throughout all optical sections. From each of these columns of sampling
points, only the intensity value that is met by the selection criterion is
displayed in the two-dimensional topographical image as the
representative of all values within the column.
You can make your selection based on either the maximum intensity or
the center of mass of the measured intensities. If you want to represent
the intensity maximums in the topographical image, only the sampling
point at which the maximum intensity was measured is selected. When
determining the center of mass, a mean value is calculated from all
superimposed sampling points (the center of mass of the area that is
limited by the curve of the measured intensity values).
Use the Viewer Options dialog window to set the selection criterion for
the topographical image:
Typical Applications
Displaying the image data in a topographical image is especially
informative in material scientific research. For the application of
quantification functions, the topography function is indispensable.
Function
Click the Original button to undo a projection image or topographical
image. The Viewer window then displays the recorded raw data of the
image again.
Creating 3D Views
Function
Use the 3D View button to display a two-dimensional data record three-
dimensionally. When viewing an image series, the data record of the
series that is currently being viewed in the Viewer window is always the
one applied. You can display a single xy-section or xz-section from the
raw data or a result image, such as a topographical image or projection
image, in the 3D view. Depending on the dimension represented or
calculated in the output image, either intensity values or height values
are mapped to the z-axis of the 3D view when the 3D view is generated.
Note
Note
Function
Use the Rotate button to rotate a 3D view in all three spatial directions.
Note that the 3D view is rotated around a fixed point, which is located in
the center of the image.
Note
Function
Use the Move button to shift a 3D view:
Note
Function
Use the Zoom button to magnify and shrink a 3D view steplessly while
maintaining the aspect ratio. This function only adjusts the scale of, i.e.
zooms, the generated image. It cannot be used to improve its resolution.
To zoom in Click anywhere inside the image window of the Viewer window
on the 3D and, while pressing the left mouse button, drag the mouse
view: pointer toward the lower edge.
To zoom out Click anywhere inside the image window of the Viewer window
of the 3D and, while pressing the left mouse button, drag the mouse
view: pointer toward the upper edge.
Note
Note
Function
The Histogram function measures the frequency of a measurement
variable, displays it in a curve and in addition, calculates various
statistical values. The histogram is measured from the data set selected
in the Viewer window. This data set can be a spatial series, a time series
or a wavelength series. The statistical values are calculated dependent
on the size of the third dimension; height (z) for spatial series, time (t) for
time series, wavelength (λ) for wavelength series.
Note
Using the maximum and minimum values of intensity, the gain values
and offset values can be optimally configured for the detectors.
Function
The Profile (z) function measures a measurement variable within a region
of interest, displays it in a curve and calculates various statistical values.
The profile is measured from the data record selected in the Viewer
window. This data set can be a spatial series, a time series or a
wavelength series. The statistical values are calculated dependent on the
size of the third dimension; height (z) for spatial series, time (t) for time
series, wavelength (λ) for wavelength series.
! Click on the Profile (z) button and draw a region of interest (ROI) in the
image. The buttons used to define a region of interest are activated
together with the Profile (z) button.
! see Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) as Ellipse
! see Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) as a Polygon
Variance Variance
The following four measurement values appear only when the Two-
Point Measurement function is selected in the Viewer Options
dialog window.
! Select the View menu, the Experiment Overview option, and the Charts
icon.
! see Viewer Options Dialog Window, Charts Icon
! In the Measurement field you can switch two-point measurement on or off
by selecting 2 Point or Off.
l(µm); I(s); Intensity measured at measuring point 1 (z, I(z1); I(t1); I(l1)
I(nm) t, λ)
l(z); I(t); Intensity measured at measuring point 2 (z, I(z ); I(t ); I(l )
2 2 2
I(λ) t, λ)
dI, dz Difference of values between measuring |I(z1) - I(z2)|; |I(t1) -
point 1 and 2 I(t2)|, |I(l1) - I(l2)|
d(z), (t), Height (z), recording time (t), bandwidth (λ) |z1 - z2|; |t1 - t2|, |l1 -
(λ) between the measuring points 1 and 2 l2|
Typical Applications
This function can be used to determine the extreme values of the
intensity within an image stack. They in turn allow for the optimized
setting of the detectors. In addition, this function can be used to
determine the emission maximum of a wavelength series. By adapting
the width and the position of the screens in front of the detectors, more
emission light from the specimen can be recorded than with conventional
optical filters. In time series, this function can be used to determine the
time of the highest fluorescence activity.
Note
Function
The Profile function measures a measurement variable along a line
segment, displays it in a curve and calculates various statistical values.
The profile is measured from the data record selected in the Viewer
window. This data set can be a spatial series, a time series or a
wavelength series. The statistical values are calculated dependent on the
size of the third dimension; height (z) for spatial series, time (t) for time
series, wavelength (λ) for wavelength series.
The following four measurement values appear only when the Two-
Point Measurement function is selected in the Viewer Options
dialog window.
! Select the View menu, the Experiment Overview option, and the Charts
icon.
! see Viewer Options Dialog Window, Charts Icon
! In the Measurement field you can switch two-point measurement on or off
by selecting 2 Point or Off.
I(nm) t, λ)
dI, dz Difference of values between measuring |I(z1) - I(z2)|; |I(t1) -
point 1 and 2 I(t2)|, |I(l1) - I(l2)|
d(z), (t), (λ) Height (z), recording time (t), bandwidth |z1 - z2|; |t1 - t2|, |l1 -
(λ) between the measuring points 1 and l2|
2
Note
Function
The Materials function calculates surfaces and volumes of the three-
dimensional, spatial data set.
Click on the Materials button to automatically open a window in which a
measurement curve and the size of the accumulated volume are
displayed depending on the z position. Accumulated volume means that
for each z position the value of the volume of the data set lying below it is
calculated.
image. Thus, the Materials button is only active if the Topography button
was used before to create a topographical image of the data set. Only
one detection channel can be quantified at a time.
Parameter Meaning
Scanned This value represents the horizontal projection of the surface of
Area A a xy section.
Surface This value represents the actual surface of a xy section. In
Area A' relation to the horizontal projection the actual surface is always
at least as large, in general even larger.
Ratio A'/A This value represents the relation of surface to base area. The
larger it is, the more the two-dimensional surface is embedded
in the three-dimensional space.
The following four measurement values appear only when the Two-
Point Measurement function is selected in the Viewer Options
dialog window.
! Select the View menu, the Experiment Overview option, and the Charts
icon.
! see Viewer Options Dialog Window, Charts Icon
! In the Measurement field you can switch two-point measurement on or off
by selecting 2 Point or Off.
V(z<=upper This value represents the volume located below the upper
position value) position value of the measurement slider (right corner point
of the slider).
V(z<=lower This value represents the volume located below the lower
position value) position value of the measurement slider (right corner point
of the slider).
dV Volume between the position values of the slider
dz Distance between the position values of the slider
Note
Function
The Snap Quantification Data function copies the data calculated by the
quantification functions to the annotation sheet. The calculated values for
the following quantification functions, which are also displaying an
evaluation graph, can be copied to an annotation sheet:
Function
The Print Quantification Data function sends the data calculated by the
quantification functions to the standard printer. The calculated values for
the following quantification functions, which are also displaying an
evaluation graph, can be printed:
! Move the mouse pointer into the view window opened by a quantification
function.
! Click the right mouse button, and select the Print menu item.
Function
Using he Export Quantification Data function, you can export the data
calculated by the quantification functions as ASCII standard data. This
enables you to read and edit data in Excel. The calculated values for the
following quantification functions, which are also displaying an evaluation
graph, can be exported:
! Move the mouse pointer into the view window opened by a quantification
function.
! Click the right mouse button, and select the Export menu item.
Function
Using the Ellipse button, you can define an elliptic Region of Interest
(ROI) within the image:
Other Requirements
The definition of a region of interest in the image is required for
quantification functions. Therefore, the Ellipse button is deactivated until
you activate a quantification function using one of the following buttons:
Function
Using the Polygon button, you can define any polygonal Region of
Interest (ROI) within the image:
Other Requirements
The definition of a region of interest in the image is required for
quantification functions. Therefore, the Polygon button is deactivated until
you activate a quantification function using one of the following buttons:
Function
Using the Rectangle button, you can define a rectangular Region of
Interest (ROI) within the image:
Other Requirements
The definition of a region of interest in the image is required for
quantification functions. Therefore, the Rectangle is deactivated until you
activate a quantification function using one of the following buttons:
Function
You can use the Wizard button to have the computer define any structure
in the image as a Region of Interest (ROI) automatically in the image.
Depending on which of the buttons you have clicked, an elliptical,
rectangular or polygonal region of interest is placed around the structure.
Other Requirements
The definition of a region of interest in the image is required for
quantification functions. The Wizard button is only enabled when you
have previously enabled a quantification function using one of the
following buttons:
Function
Using the Select ROI button, you can select and move a Region of
Interest (ROI) within the image:
! Click first the Select ROI button and then the ROI you want to move.
! Move the mouse pointer into the ROI.
! As soon as the mouse pointer changes to a crossed double arrow, press
and hold the left mouse button.
! Keeping the left mouse button pressed, move the ROI.
You can change the size of the region of interest you have drawn:
! Hold the mouse pointer over one of the ROI's edges until a double arrow
appears. Press the left mouse button to shift the shape of the ROI in one
direction.
! If you place the mouse pointer exactly over a corner of the ROI, you can
change its shape in two directions at once.
Other Requirements
The definition of a region of interest in the image is required for
quantification functions. Therefore, the Select ROI is deactivated until
you activate a quantification function using one of the following buttons:
Function
Using the Rotate ROI button, you can move and rotate a Region of
Interest (ROI) within the image:
! Click first the Rotate ROI button and then the region of interest you want to
rotate.
! Place the mouse pointer exactly on the corner of the selected region of
interest.
! As soon as the mouse pointer changes to a double arrow, press and hold
the left mouse button.
! Keeping the left mouse button pressed, rotate the region of interest. The
region of interest will be rotated around its center point.
You can change the size of the region of interest you have drawn:
! Hold the mouse pointer over one of the ROI's edges until a double arrow
appears. Press the left mouse button to shift the shape of the ROI in one
direction.
Other Requirements
The definition of a region of interest in the image is required for
quantification functions. Therefore, the Rotate ROI is deactivated until
you activate a quantification function using one of the following buttons:
Function
The Clear button deletes all defined ROIs at once. To delete an individual
ROI, click the Select ROI button, then the ROI in the image, and press
the DELETE key on the keyboard.
Other Requirements
The definition of a region of interest in the image is required for
quantification functions. Therefore, the Clear is deactivated until you
activate a quantification function using one of the following buttons:
Documenting Data
Creating an Annotation Sheet
Function
Use the Annotation button to open a window in which you can prepare
recorded images for presentation purposes. If you have opened the
annotation sheet, the Snap, Line, Rectangle and Text buttons are also
enabled. Use these buttons to copy the image loaded in the Viewer
window into the annotation sheet, to highlight specific areas of the copied
image with lines and rectangles and to enter an image comment into a
text field.
If you hold the mouse pointer over the annotation sheet and press the
right mouse button, a context menu containing the following commands
appears:
Command Function
Line Use this to insert a line of default size onto the annotation sheet.
Rectangle Use this to insert a rectangle of default size onto the annotation
sheet.
Text Use this to insert a text field with a default font onto the
annotation sheet.
Zoom Use this to select from four magnifications for viewing the
annotation sheet.
Grid This displays a grid on the annotation sheet, which cannot be
printed.
The Line, Rectangle and Text commands can be activated both from the
context menu and by clicking their corresponding buttons.
Function
If you click the Snap button, the image loaded in the Viewer window is
copied onto the annotation sheet. If you mark the copied image and then
press the right mouse button, a context menu containing the following
commands appears:
Command Function
Original size This displays the image in its original size.
Fit to page This enlarges the image to the size of the annotation sheet.
Bring to front This brings the image to the foreground.
Send to back This sends the image to the background.
Delete This deletes the image.
You can change the size of the image by dragging one of the image grab
points. To move the image without changing its size, mark the image and
move it while pressing the left mouse button.
Note
The Snap button can be applied only if an annotation sheet has been
opened using the Annotation button first and the Viewer window has
been clicked.
Function
Use the Line button to draw a line on the annotation sheet. On the
annotation sheet, click the position where you want the line to begin.
Keeping the left mouse button depressed, drag the mouse pointer across
the page to the position where you want the line to end. If you mark the
line and then press the right mouse button, a context menu containing
the following commands appears:
Command Function
Style This opens a dialog window where you can configure the style,
thickness and length of the line.
Color This opens a dialog window for selecting a color for the line.
Bring to This brings the line to the foreground.
front
Send to This sends the line to the background.
back
Delete This deletes the line.
You can change the length of the line by dragging one of its grab points.
To move the line without changing its size, click the center grab point and
move the line while pressing and holding the left mouse button.
Note
The Line button can be applied only if the annotation sheet has been
opened using the Annotation button first.
Function
Use the Rectangle button to draw a rectangle on the annotation sheet.
On the annotation sheet, click the position where you want the corner of
the rectangle to be. Keeping the left mouse button depressed, drag the
mouse pointer across the page to define the size of the rectangle. If you
mark the rectangle and then press the right mouse button, a context
menu containing the following commands appears:
Command Function
Style This opens a dialog window where you can configure, among
other options, the style and thickness of the line.
Color This opens a dialog window for selecting a color for the
rectangle.
You can change the size of the rectangle by dragging one of the image
grab points of the rectangle. To move the rectangle without changing its
size, click in the middle of the rectangle and move it while pressing and
holding the left mouse button.
Note
The Rectangle button can be applied only if the annotation sheet has
been opened using the Annotation button first.
Function
Use the Text button to insert a text field onto the annotation sheet. On
the annotation sheet, click the position where you want the text field to be
placed. Keeping the left mouse button depressed, drag the mouse
pointer across the page to define the size of the text field. If you mark the
text field and then press the right mouse button, a context menu
containing the following commands appears:
Command Function
Font This opens a dialog window used to select from various fonts
and other formatting options.
Transparent This makes the background visible through the text field.
Bring to This brings the text to the foreground.
front
Send to This sends the text to the background.
back
Delete This deletes the text.
You can change the size of the text field by dragging one of the image
grab points of the text field. To move the text field without changing its
size, click in the middle of the text field and move it while pressing and
holding the left mouse button.
Note
The Text button can be applied only if the annotation sheet has been
opened using the Annotation button first.
Printing
Function
You can trigger the print command either by clicking the Print button or
from the Printer Selection dialog window. To open this dialog window,
select the Print option in the File menu. The image loaded in the Viewer
window or an annotation sheet can be printed.
When you initiate the Print command, the image currently loaded in the
Viewer window or the currently open annotation sheet is printed using the
default printer and default page layout. You can change these default
settings in the Printer Selection dialog window to suit your needs. Use
the following buttons provided in the dialog window to do so:
Button Function
Printer setup This opens the dialog window for selecting a printer and
changing the printer settings.
Print This prints the image or the annotation sheet.
Background Use this to open a dialog window for selecting a background
color color for the page.
Center on page This centers the image on the page.
Fit to page This option changes the size of the image to fit the size of
the printable area.
Aspect ratio The height-to-width ratio remains the same when the size of
the image changes.
Use the Image field to change the height (Size Y) and width (Size X) of
the image and to define a top margin (Offset Y) and a left margin (Offset
X). The image size and margins cannot be modified if the Fit to page
option is enabled. If you have enabled Center on Page, you can change
the size but not the margins.
Check the results of your settings in the Print Preview field. Use the Page
field to specify the height and width of the printable area (which is not
identical to the paper size). The two bottom lines of the dialog window
display the currently installed printer and configured paper size.
Note
Close the Printer Selection dialog window by clicking OK to save the new
settings for the active Viewer window. This allows you to store different
printer settings and page layouts for different images. However, these
settings are not permanent and are lost when you exit the Leica Confocal
Software.
Data Handling
Opening a File
Function
With the Leica Confocal Software, you can open various file types using
the Open button
Saving a File
Function
Click the Save button to save the data of the current experiment (*.lei) or
the current annotation sheet (*.ano).
If you use the Save button to save an experiment or annotation sheet for
the first time, the Save As dialog window opens.
Note
Function
Use the Save As button to save an experiment (*.lei) or annotation sheet
(*.ano) while giving it a specific name and file type.
When saving an experiment, a folder is created at the file level with the
name of the experiment. This folder then contains the description file
(*.lei) for the experiment as well as the individual image files. The format
of the description file is Leica-specific and binary. This file contains the
parameter settings and the color information (in the form of color look-up
tables) for each image belonging to the experiment.
The image files of an experiment can be saved in tif or raw format. The
standard format, tif, also contains the experiment settings and the color
information for the images. In the raw format, just the image data is
saved.
Typical Applications
The advantage of the raw format is the smaller file size, but this is only
significant for image recordings with relatively small amounts of data. For
example, if you record an image series with a large number of individual
images but at a low scan format, you can save and open it faster in raw
format than in tif.
Function
Use the Save All button to save experiments (*.lei) or annotation sheets
(*.ano) while giving them a specific name and file type.
When saving an experiment, a folder is created at the file level with the
name of the experiment. This folder then contains the description file
(*.lei) for the experiment as well as the individual image files. The format
of the description file is Leica-specific and binary. This file contains the
parameter settings and the color information (in the form of color look-up
tables) for each image belonging to the experiment.
The image files of an experiment can be saved in tif or raw format. The
standard format, tif, also contains the experiment settings and the color
information for the images. In the raw format, just the image data is
saved.
Typical Applications
The advantage of the raw format is the smaller file size, but this is only
significant for image recordings with relatively small amounts of data. For
example, if you record an image series with a large number of individual
images but at a low scan format, you can save and open it faster in raw
format than in tif.
Creating an Experiment
Function
Click the New Experiment button to open a new Viewer window, which
creates a new experiment. An experiment is a file that consists of one ore
more individual images or image series. This allows you to keep several
images, each recorded using different scan parameters, or edited
versions of images in one experiment. The format of the experiment file
(*.lei) is Leica-specific.
User-specific Adaptation
Saving the Viewer Window as a Template
Function
Using the Template button, you can save a user-defined design of the
Viewer window as a template. The elements of the Viewer window that
can be shown or hidden, are the buttons the color bars of the color look-
up tables and the Experiment legend.
Clicking the Template button opens a dialog window that you can use to
enter a name for the template. This configuration of the Viewer window is
saved and will be loaded each time you open a file or create a new
experiment.
Additional information
In the Tools menu, click on Options and select the Viewer Template tab
to access the user-defined templates. In the Leica Templates list box,
you can choose from the following predefined templates:
Viewer Design
Template
Viewer (Pure) The view window consists only of the image window.
Viewer (LUT) The view window consists of the image window and the color
bars of the color look-up tables.
Viewer The view window consists of the buttons, the image window,
(Standard) the color bars of the color look-up table, and the Experiment
legend.
In the Tools menu, click on Options to indicate in the Workspace tab how
many view windows, if any, Viewer should open when the Leica Confocal
Software is started.
Function
At frequent points during an image recording, various parameters have to
be reset. For this reason, the control panel can be used to control
functions quickly and directly. You can freely allocate the radio buttons of
the control panel to a selection of functions:
! In the View menu, select the Status Bars option and then Control Panel
Status Bar.
The status bar for the control panel is displayed at the bottom of the user
interface of the Leica Confocal Software. Viewed from left to right, the
status bar consists of the icon for the control panel, the seven fields that
represent the radio buttons of the control panel, and three buttons.
! Click on one of the fields arranged in the same way as the radio buttons of
the control panel.
! A list is opened where you can select the desired function. The name of
the allocated function is shown in the field.
If you have assigned a function to all the radio buttons, you can save this
configuration as a template.
! Click on the left of the three buttons located on the right side of the status
bar.
! A dialog window is opened in which you can give the configuration a name
and save it.
! Click on the middle button to select and load a configuration.
! Click on the right of the three buttons located on the right edge of the
status bar.
! This opens a dialog window listing all the configurations for the control
panel.
Command Function
Set as default The configuration is loaded as the default configuration
template when the software is started.
Remove default The setting of this configuration as default setting is
setting undone.
Load Loads the configuration.
Rename (only for Use this to change the name of the configuration.
U)
Delete (only for U) The configuration is deleted.
! In the Source Image drop-down list at the top of the dialog window, select
the image data record to be processed.
! If you click on the Use Selected Image check box, the image data record
currently displayed in the Viewer window is used for the calculation.
! If you click on the Show button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
preview window in the dialog window.
! If you click on the Apply button at the bottom of the dialog window, the
selected calculation is activated and the result image is displayed in the
Viewer window and created as a new file in the current experiment.
! Click on the button with the arrow symbols to show the preview window on
the right edge of the dialog window or to hide it. The projections triggered
using Show are displayed temporarily in this preview window.
! The Close button closes the dialog window.
Filters are used to enhance the quality of an image. As a rule, this means
removing undesirable pixels from the image. The filter function available
here, a low-pass filter is used to suppress static noise in an image that
could be generated by the detector. The principle of a filter consists of
taking the value of each pixel in an image and setting it off against the
values of the adjacent pixels. The filter kernel describes the number and
weighting of the adjacent pixels that come to bear in the calculation of the
new pixel. The kernel used here can be described using Pascal's
triangle:
If, for example, kernel size 5 is selected, 5 pixels of the original image are
used in calculating 1 pixel in the filtered image. It is always the middle
pixel in the filter kernel that is the pixel to be calculated. In this case, the
gray values of the 5 pixels corresponding to the weighting scale 1-4-6-4-
1, are multiplied by the factors 1/16, 4/16, 6/16, 4/16, 1/16 and together
added to the final value. With respect to the calculation of the pixel C in
the following schematic representation this means that the gray values of
pixels A, B and D, E are included in the calculation of the filtered pixel C'.
C' is calculated as follows: 16x1/16 + 4x4/16 + 8x6/16 + 32x4/16 +
8x1/16 = 1 + 1 + 3 + 8 + 0,5 = 13,5
A B C D E
Gray values of pixels A-E in the original 16 4 8 32 8
image
Factors of kernel size 5 1/16 4/16 6/16 4/16 1/16
Gray value of C' in the filtered image 13,5
A calculation of this kind is performed for each pixel in the original image.
At the edge of the image, the filter mask protrudes beyond the image. For
these pixels, the value 0 is set.
This filter type filters the high Intensity profile of the image after
frequencies out of the image. That is, applying the Smooth filter
the very distinctive transitions from
low to high intensity values are
reduced.
Function
The Roughness Profile function measures height, distance, and angular
values of a surface along a specific line and displays these values in a
curve. The height profile is measured from the data record selected in the
Viewer window. This data record should be a spatial series.
The following four measurement values appear only when the Two-
Point Measurement function is selected in the Viewer Options
dialog window.
! Select the View menu, the Experiment Overview option, and the Charts
icon.
! see Viewer Options Dialog Window, Charts Icon
! In the Measurement field you can switch two-point measurement on or off
by selecting 2 Point or Off.
Note
Function
The Roughness Area function measures height, distance, and angular
values of a surface within a region of interest. The profile is measured
from the data record selected in the Viewer window. This data record
should be a spatial series.
! Click on the button Roughness Area and draw a region of interest (ROI)
into the image. The buttons with which you define a ROI are activated
together with the Roughness Area button.
! see Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) as an Ellipse
! see Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) as a Polygon
! see Defining the Region of Interest (ROI) as a Rectangle
! see Automatically Defining the Region of Interest (ROI)
! see Selecting and Moving the Region of Interest (ROI)
! see Deleting Regions of Interest (ROIs)
! A window opens automatically to display the statistical values.
with
Min Valley Minimal height of the profile ordinates Min (Pv)
Note
Glossary
Aberration, An optical image distortion conditional on the varying refraction of light rays of
chromatic different wavelengths on a lens. Thus light rays of shorter wavelengths have
longer focal distances than light rays of longer wavelengths.
Aberration, An optical image distortion conditional on the varying distance of paraxial light
spherical rays of the same wavelength from the optic axis. Light rays that travel through
outer lens zones have shorter focal distances than rays that travel through the
lens center (optic axis).
Achromatic Describes a correction class for objectives. The chromatic aberration for two
wavelengths is corrected for objectives of this type. Usually an objective of this
type is corrected to a wavelength below 500nm and above 600nm.
Furthermore, the sine condition for one wavelength is met. The image
curvature aberration is not corrected.
Airy disc The Airy disc refers to the inner, light circle (surrounded by alternating dark
and light diffraction rings) of the diffraction pattern of a point light source. The
diffraction discs of two adjacent object points overlap some or completely,
thus limiting the spatial resolution capacity.
Aliasing An image distortion caused by a sampling frequency that is too low in relation
to the signal frequency.
AOTF The acousto-optical tunable filter is an optic transparent crystal that can be
Acousto-Optical used to infinitely vary the intensity and wavelength of radiated light. The
Tunable Filter crystal generates an internal ultrasonic wave field, the wavelength of which
can be configured to any value. Radiated light is diffracted vertically to the
ultrasonic wave field like through a grid.
Aperture, Aperture is the sine of the opening angle under which light enters into the front
numerical lens of a microscope objective; its symbol is NA. The aperture influences both
the light intensity and the resolution capacity of an objective optical system.
Since various media can be present between specimen and objective lens
(such as the embedding medium for the specimen), the numerical aperture
(NA = n * sin a) is usually applied as the unit of measurement for the light
intensity and the resolution capacity.
Apochromatic Describes a correction class for objectives. The chromatic aberration for three
wavelengths is corrected for objectives of this type (usually 450nm, 550nm
and 650nm) and the sine condition for at least two colors is met. The image
curvature aberration is not corrected.
Working The distance from the front lens of an objective to the focal point. For a
distance variable working distance, the gap between the front lens of the objective and
the cover slip or uncovered sample is specified. Usually objectives with large
working distances have low numerical apertures, while high-aperture
objectives have small working distances. If a high-aperture objective with a
large working distance is desired, the diameter of the objective lens has to be
made correspondingly large. These, however, are usually low-correction optic
systems, because maintaining extreme process accuracy through a large lens
diameter can only be achieved with great effort.
Image curvature The curved surface to which a microscopic image is to be clearly and distinctly
aberration mapped is described as image curvature aberration. It is conditional on the
convex shape of the lens and makes itself apparent as an error due to the
short focal distances of microscope objectives. Here the object image is not in
focus both in the center and at the periphery at the same time. Objectives that
are corrected for image curvature aberration are called plane objectives (plane
= flat image field).
Bleaching, The destruction of fluorochromes, so-called fluorochromes, by intense lighting.
optical In fluorescence microscopy, fluorochromes are excited with laser light to a
high state of energy, the Singlet state. When the excited molecules return to
their normal energy state, a fluorescent signal is emitted. If the intensity of the
excitation is too high however, the color molecules can change via
intercrossing from a Singlet state to a triplet state. Due to the significantly
longer life of triplet states (phosphorescence), these excited molecules can
react with triplet-oxide and be lost for further fluorescence excitation.
Refraction index The factor by which the light velocity in an optical medium is less than in a
vacuum.
Dichroic Dichroic filters are interference filters at an angle of incidence of light of 45°.
The transmissivity or reflectivity of dichroites depends on a specific
wavelength of light. For an RSP 510 filter (reflection short pass) ), for
example, the excitation light below 510 nm is reflected and the excitation light
above this value is transmitted. The transmission values are generally
between 80% and 90% and the reflection values between 90% and 95%.
Double dichroite Double dichroic filters are interference filters at an angle of incidence of light of
45°. The transmissivity or reflectivity of double dichroites depends on two
specific wavelengths of light. For a doubledichroite DD 488/568, for example,
the excitation light at 488 nm and 568 nm is reflected and the excitation light
above these values is transmitted. The transmission values are generally at
80% and the reflection values are between 90% and 95%.
Filter, digital, A digital filter consists of a computing rule used to modify image data. Filters
phase-true are always applied to remove disturbing image components. A phase-true
filter ensures that quantifiable image values do not change through filtering
and remain a requirement for standardized measuring methods (e.g.,
characterization of surfaces in accordance with ISO).
Fluorescence A light-optical contrast process for displaying fluorescent structures. Auto-
microscopy fluorescent samples have a so-called primary fluorescence. They do not need
to be enriched with additional, fluorescent substances. Secondary fluorescent
substances, on the other hand, have to be treated with appropriate dyes or
stains called fluorochromes. Specific dyeing methods additionally allow the
precise localization of the stained structure elements of an object.
Fluorescence microscopy allows both potential morphological examinations
and the ability to carry out dynamic examinations on a molecular level.
Fluorite Describes a correction class for objectives. Fluorite objectives are semi-
objectives apochromatic, meaning their degree of correction lies between the achromatic
and apochromatic.
Frame A frame corresponds to the acquisition of a single optical section. For
example, if a single optical section is acquired 4 times (to average the data
and to eliminate noise), then 4 frames are created for this optical section.
Immersion A microscopic objective, developed with the requirements for applying
objective immersion media. The use of incorrect or no immersion medium with an
immersion objective can lead to resolution loss and impairment of the
correction.
Confocality While the optical design of conventional microscopes allows the uniform
detection of focused and unfocussed image components, the confocal
principle suppresses the structures found outside of the focal plane of the
microscope objective. Screens are implemented in optically conjugated
locations to achieve this. They function as point light source (excitation
screen) and point detector (detection screen). The diameter of the detection
screen, along with the wavelength and numerical aperture of the objective
being used, determines the axial extension of an optical section (optical
resolution).
Reflection short Reflection short pass filters are interference filters that transmit short-wave
pass filter light while reflecting long-wave light. An optical reflection short pass filter is
characterized by the reading of the wavelength edge at which the filter
changes from transmission to reflection (50% threshold).
Reflection long Reflection long pass filters are interference filters that reflect short-wave light
pass filter but are transparent for long-wave light. An optical reflection long pass filter is
characterized by the reading of the wavelength edge at which the filter
changes from reflection to transmission (50% threshold).
Empty A magnification without additional gain of information. Empty magnification is
magnification used as soon as distances are displayed that are smaller than the optical
resolution. Magnifications with a larger scale than that of the empty
magnification do not provide any additional information about the object but,
instead, only diminish the focus and the contrast.
Neutral filter Neutral filters are semi-reflective glass plates. They are used to distribute the
light path independent of wavelength. The incident light is partially reflected
and partially transmitted. Neutral filters are usually placed at a 45° angle in the
path of the beam. The ratings of a neutral filter are based on its reflectivity-to-
transmissivity ratio. A neutral filter RT 30/70, for example, reflects 30% of the
excitation light and transmits 70%.
Phase The principle of phase visualization as used by Leica is an optimized
visualization alternative method to ratiometric displaying. The main area of application lies
in measuring ion concentrations in physiology. In contrast with ratiometric
procedures, phase visualization obtains more information on the specimen. In
addition, this method allows for adapting the display of physiological data to
the dynamics of the human eye. Detailed information on the principle of phase
visualization can be obtained directly from Leica Microsystems Heidelberg
GmbH.
Pixel An acronym based on the words, picture and element. A pixel represents the
smallest, indivisible image element in a two-dimensional system. In this
documentation, both the sampling points of the specimen as well as the image
points are referred to as pixels.
Plane objectives Describes a correction class for objectives. The image curvature aberration is
corrected for objectives of this type. Correcting this error requires lenses with
stronger concave surfaces and thicker middles. Three types of plane
objectives, plane achromate, plane apochromate and plane fluorite, are based
on the type of additional correction for chromatic aberration.
ROI Abbreviation for "Region of Interest". ROI encloses an area for which a
measurement analysis is to be performed. On top of that, an ROI can also
designate the area of a specimen to be scanned (ROI scan).
Signal-to-noise The ratio of signals detected in the specimen to the unwanted signals that are
ratio caused randomly by various optic and electronic components, which are also
recorded by the detector.
Stokes shift The Stokes shift is a central term in fluorescence microscopy. If fluorescent
molecules are excited with light of a specific wavelength, they radiate light of
another, larger wavelength. This difference between excitation light and
fluorescent light is referred to as Stokes shift. Without Stokes shift, separating
the high-intensity excitation light from the low-intensity fluorescence signals in
a fluorescence microscope would not be possible.
Triple dichroic Triple dichroic filters are interference filters at an angle of incidence of light of
45°. The transmissivity or reflectivity of triple dichroites depends on three
specific wavelengths of light. For a tripledichroite TD 488/568/647, for
example, the excitation light at 488 nm, 568 nm and 633 nm is reflected and
the excitation light above these values is transmitted. The transmission values
are generally at 80% and the reflection values are between 90% and 95%.
Dry objective A microscopic objective used without immersion media. Between the objective
lens and the specimen is air.
Voxel An acronym based on the words, volume and pixel. A Voxel represents the
smallest, indivisible volume element in a three-dimensional system. In this
documentation, both the volume elements of the specimen as well as the 3D
image points are referred to as voxels.
Appendix
Adaptation Function For Correcting Trend Curves
1. Selecting the step width, that is, the distance of the support positions
before leveling
after leveling
AND Write a 1 if
there is a 1 in
pixel 1 AND in
pixel 2;
otherwise write
0 AND represents the
intersection of two images
a.) Binary
representation of
pixel 1
b.) Binary
representation of
pixel 2
c.) Binary
representation of
result pixel
OR Write a 1 if
there is a 1 in
pixel 1 OR in
pixel 2;
otherwise write
0
OR represents the union of
sets of two images
a.) Binary
representation of
pixel 1
b.) Binary
representation of
pixel 2
c.) Binary
representation of
result pixel
XOR Write a 1 if the
values in pixel 1
and in pixel 2
differ; otherwise
write 0
XOR represents the union of
sets without the intersection
of two images.
a.) Binary
representation of
pixel 1
b.) Binary
representation of
pixel 2
c.) Binary
representation of
result pixel
*.IPS
Instrument parameters are saved in this format. This includes hardware-
based settings such as intensity of the individual laser lines, number of
channels used simultaneously, type of main beam splitter used, position
and bandwidth of individual spectrophotometer diaphragms and
sensitivity of detectors. You can use factory-defined standard sets of
instrument parameters that cannot be changed but that allow for a very
quick configuration of the hardware. In addition, every user can save
instrument parameter sets in a separate user directory. This allows you
to save the instrument parameters typical for your planned use so that
they can be reproduced and made available for other experiments.
*.mac
Macros are saved in this format. Macros contain VBA (Visual Basic for
Application) program code. Leica provides the individual program objects
for controlling the confocal system in an object model. Additional
information about the development of macros for controlling the confocal
system can be found in the chapter on "The LCS Macro Language".
The software includes factory-predefined macros that can be used
without modifications or modified according to your particular needs. The
self-designed or modified macros are stored in the respective user-
defined directory.
*.pbo
Templates for the assignment of the control panel are saved in this
format. These templates define which scan parameter is controlled by
which rotary knob. This format also includes factory presets that have
proven useful for most standard applications. Self-defined templates are
saved in the user-specific directory.
*.pro
Specific profiles of the user interface are saved in this format. This
includes information on the type of key and its location in a specific
toolbar. In addition, new toolbars can be defined or existing defined
toolbars can be hidden or displayed. The position of the toolbars–
The following file formats can be opened and viewed in the Leica
Confocal Software:
Raw data (*.raw)
The RAW format saves data as a linear two-dimensional array in the
INTEL format. The column index of the array corresponds to the fastest
scan dimension (in general the x-axis), while the line index corresponds
to the slower scan dimension (in general the y-axis). In an 8-bit image,
each measured variable is saved as a single byte. A 12-bit image uses 2
bytes, whereby the first byte contains the higher-valued bits in
accordance with the INTEL format (little endian). Each optical section is
saved for each channel in a separate file with the file extension .raw
using the following naming convention: name of experiment_name of
data record_channel number_z-dimension_number of optical
sections.raw
Experiments (*.lei)
The format of this type of file is Leica-specific and binary. This format is
provided for the data of entire experiments.
A file description is saved in this file format, referencing a series of image
files in TIF format or RAW format.
Tiff files (*.tif)
These are Leica image files in single and multi TIFF format. Both image
files in the previously used TCS formats and external files in RGB TIF
Note
Header table
Byte Meaning Possible values
0 ... 3 Byte arrangement 0x49494949 Intel LSB
0x4D4D4D4D Motorola MSB
4 ... 7 Identification for Leica 0x016033F0
"Lei" format
8 ... Version number current: =x20000000
11
12 ... Address of directory table any possible address within the complete
15 A length of the file
Directory table A
Address Meaning Entry data
type
Address of Number of entries in this table DWORD
A=A
A+4 Index of the first entry (represents a logical memory DWORD
block, e.g., acquisition parameter ("hardware
settings") or image parameter ("dimensions"))
A+8 Address A1 of the 1st entry DWORD
A+12 Index of the first entry (represents a logical memory DWORD
block, e.g., acquisition parameter ("hardware
settings") or image parameter ("dimensions"))
Block table Xn
Address Meaning Data type
A1 or A2 or Check digit DWORD
A3.....Ai
Ai+ 4 bytes Description of the contents of the DWORD
block table (currently not used)
Ai+ 8 bytes Version of entry DWORD
Ai+ 12 bytes Size of entry DWORD
Ai+ 16 bytes Begin of entry The data type depends
upon the entry type.
image files
nIm * wchar Name of the next image
2
ID (decimal) Meaning
0 undefined
120 x
121 y
122 z
116 t for time dimension
6815843 channel number
6357100 wavelength Range
7602290 rotation
7798904 x-wide for motorized xy-stage
7798905 y-wide for motorized xy-stage
7798906 z-wide for z-stage
4259957 user1 (not specified)
4325493 user2 (not specified)
4391029 user3 (not specified)
Example:
Appendix 1
SAFEARRAYBOUND Structure
Represents the bounds of one dimension of the array. The lower bound
CY FAR* pcyVal; //
VT_BYREF|VT_CY.
DATE FAR* pdate; //
VT_BYREF|VT_DATE.
BSTR FAR* pbstrVal; //
VT_BYREF|VT_BSTR.
IUnknown FAR* FAR* ppunkVal; //
VT_BYREF|VT_UNKNOWN.
IDispatch FAR* FAR* ppdispVal; //
VT_BYREF|VT_DISPATCH.
SAFEARRAY FAR* FAR* pparray; //
VT_ARRAY|*.
VARIANT FAR* pvarVal; //
VT_BYREF|VT_VARIANT.
void FAR* byref; // Generic
ByRef.
};
};
Important: Files with the "LEI" format never use pointers as parameters.
VARTYPE
typedef unsigned short VARTYPE;
enum VARENUM{
VT_EMPTY = 0, // Not specified.
VT_NULL = 1, // Null.
VT_I2 = 2, // 2-byte signed
int.
VT_I4 = 3, // 4-byte signed
int.
VT_R4 = 4, // 4-byte real.
VT_R8 = 5, // 8-byte real.
VT_CY = 6, // Currency.
VT_DATE = 7, // Date.
VT_BSTR = 8, // Binary string.
VT_DISPATCH = 9, // IDispatch
VT_ERROR = 10, // Scodes.
VT_BOOL = 11, // Boolean; True=-1,
False=0.
VT_VARIANT = 12, // VARIANT FAR*.
VT_UNKNOWN = 13, // IUnknown FAR*.
VT_UI1 = 17, // Unsigned char.
};
VT_RESERVED = (int) 0x8000
// By reference, a pointer to the data is passed.
VT_BYREF = (int) 0x4000
VT_ARRAY = (int) 0x2000 // A safe array of
the data is passed.
Value Description
Index
*.ano ................................................... 127, 128 Apochromatic ..............................................138
Acousto-Optical Tunable Filter ................... 138 Average Projection56, 64, 92, 95, 96, 100, 101
Annotation Sheet ........ 115, 122, 123, 124, 125 Bilder subtrahieren ........................................77
Center of mass of intensities ...................... 105 Displaying the Previous Image in a Series ...89
Creating an Experiment.............. 127, 128, 129 End Point for a Spatial Series .................36, 38
Creating the 3D View............................ 58, 106 End Point for a Wavelength Series ...............39
Gain Value .................................................... 25 Invariable Projection Axis .... 64, 71, 92, 95, 97,
100, 101, 102
Gallery .......................................................... 91
Isolines Image .............................................106
Gallery Button............................................... 91
Keyboard Shortcuts.......................................19
Gamma Curve .............................................. 77
Lambda Scan Button.....................................37
Glossary ..................................................... 138
Lambda Steps Button....................................41
Graphical Zoom ...................................... 52, 84
Last Button ....................................................89
Hardware Legend ......................................... 48
Last Image of a Series ..................................89
Hardware Settings .................................. 45, 48
LCS file formats...........................................144
Height ................................................. 134, 136
Legal notes......................................................5
Help .............................................................. 20
Legend ..........................................................48
Highpass............................................... 64, 131
Leica Confocal Software, LCS ......................13
Highpass Filter............................................ 131
Length of the measured section..................112
Histogram ................................................... 109
Leveling .................................................61, 141
Image Brightness.................................... 25, 77
Line..............................................................124
Image Contrast ....................................... 25, 77
line averaging ................................................45
Image Curvature Aberration ....................... 138
Line Button ..................................................124
Image Raster ................................................ 30
Linear Filters..........................................64, 131
Image Resolution.......................................... 47
Loading and Saving Parameter Settings ......22
Image Series 33, 36, 37, 40, 41, 88, 89, 90, 91
Long Pass Filter ..........................................138
Image Stack.................. 40, 41, 92, 95, 96, 105
Look-Up Table.........................................48, 84
Image Tool Button .................... 62, 64, 77, 131
Look-up Table Button ....................................84
Image Tool Dialog Window 62, 64, 71, 77, 131,
142 Lowpass Filter .......................................64, 131
Image Tool Dialog Window,Amplitude Button Magnification ............................ 26, 51, 84, 108
........................................................... 62, 77
Materials Button ..........................................113
Maximum Projection 56, 64, 92, 95, 96, 97, 98, Number of Wavelength Steps .......................41
105
Numerical Aperture .......................................24
Maximum value .................... 77, 109, 110, 112
Nyquist Theorem ...........................................30
Measurement Slider ..................................... 53
Objective .......................................................24
Measuring ................................................... 112
Objective Button ............................................24
Measuring a Profile Along a Line Segment112,
134 Objective Dialog Window ..............................24
Minimum value ..................... 77, 109, 110, 112 Opening a File .............................................127
Moving the Region of Interest (ROI)... 120, 121 Orthogonal Projections...... 64, 71, 95, 97, 100,
101, 102
Multidimensional image data block .............. 41
Out of Focus..................................................29
Multiple Image .............................................. 87
Overlay ..........................................................57
Multiplication................................................. 77
Overlay Button...............................................87
Multiplying Images........................................ 77
Phase Button.................................................44
Neutral Filter ......................................... 22, 138
Phase Displacement .....................................44
New Experiment ......................................... 129
Phase Visualization .....................................138
New Experiment Button.............................. 129
Ping-pong Mode ............................................52
New Window................................................. 48
Pinhole Button ...............................................29
Next .............................................................. 88
Plane Objectives ...................................24, 138
Next Button ................................................... 88
Play/Stop Button............................................90
Next Image of a Series ................................. 88
Polygon .......................................................117
Position of Maximum Value ........................ 110 ROI ....... 28, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122
Position of Minimum Value ......................... 110 Root mean square value ............ 109, 134, 136
Projection of an Image Stack ... 92, 95, 96, 104 Saving a File as...........................................128
Quantification........ 53, 112, 115, 116, 134, 136 Saving Measurement Points .......................134
Raw Data .................................................... 128 Saving the Viewer Window as a Template .129
Recording a Line Using the Averaging Method Scaling of the Measurement Curve...............53
................................................................. 45
Scan Field .....................................................44
Recording an Image Using the Averaging
Method ..................................................... 46 Scan Field Rotation Button ...........................44
Region of Interest as a Polygon ................. 117 Select LUT Dialog Window ...........................84
Series.... 33, 36, 37, 40, 41, 88, 89, 90, 91, 105 Start Point for a Wavelength Series ..............37
Simulated Fluorescence Process (SFP) .... 104 Taste Image Tool ..................................77, 131
Time Configuration Dialog Window .............. 33 Viewer Options Dialog Window,Surface View
Icon ...........................................................58
Time Series ............................................ 33, 41
Viewer Window........................................48, 84
Topographical Image............................ 61, 105
Viewing an Overlay Image ......................57, 87
Topography .......................................... 61, 105
Viewing Measurement Bar ............................52
Topography Button ..................................... 105
Viewing the Last Image of a Series...............89
Transparent Factor ........... 56, 64, 92, 102, 103
Viewing the Original Image .........................106
Transparent Projection 56, 64, 92, 95, 96, 102,
103 Viewing the Series Image .............................91
Two-point measurement....... 53, 110, 113, 134 Wavelength Series ........................... 37, 39, 41
Unidirectional................................................ 43 Wireframe....................................................106